PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – New York\u2019s legal sports betting industry is showing no signs of slowing down, bringing in record state revenues while prompting concerns over problem gambling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the best places to be for football season,\u201d said Elijah Lancaster, an employee at Hobies Sports Den in Plattsburgh, which was gearing up to welcome crowds for Thursday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Fans include families, fantasy football players, and the growing number of those placing a wager on the games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the more sports betting that we got going on, everybody gets a good pie out of it, and there is nothing wrong with that,\u201d Lancaster said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the customers hook me up with a parlay, I am going to do it while I am on shift and use it as my tip,\u201d said Sam Betrus, who also works at the sports bar. <\/p>\n
And 2025 was a banner year for sports betting in the Empire State, according to the New York State Comptroller\u2019s Office. \u201cThe introduction of mobile sports betting has really provided a jolt to these revenues and increased tremendously in the last few years,\u201d said Deputy Comptroller Maria Doulis.<\/p>\n
State revenue for sports betting jumped about 78% in the last three years, with mobile betting hitting over $1.3 billion. The average amount for betting last year was $3,500, which is about $42 per wager.<\/p>\n
But rising gambling revenue also brings an increase in problem gambling calls. The Comptroller\u2019s Office points to a roughly 8% increase in calls from those seeking help, a number officials want to keep an eye on. \u201cWe feel like greater attention needs to be given to both improving the data collection and focus on how to curb some of the potential for that addiction,\u201d Doulis said.<\/p>\n