Is DFS legal in New York?

Yes, daily fantasy sports have been legal and regulated in New York since August 2016.

How old do you have to be to play DFS in NY?

You must be at least 18 years old to play daily fantasy sports in New York.

Are DFS winnings taxed in NY?

Yes, DFS winnings are considered taxable income at both the state and federal level.

Is daily fantasy sports legal in New York?

DFS is classified as a skill-based contest in most states and is legal in the majority of the US. A few states have explicitly banned or restricted DFS. Our list only shows platforms verified as operating in New York.

What is the difference between DFS and sports betting?

In DFS, you draft a lineup of real players within a salary cap and earn points based on their actual performance. You compete against other players' lineups, not against a sportsbook. Sports betting involves wagering on game outcomes (spreads, moneylines, totals) directly.

How much money do I need to start playing DFS?

Most platforms offer free-entry contests and paid contests starting as low as $0.25. You can deposit as little as $5-10 on major platforms. Start with lower-stakes contests to learn the format before committing more.

Are DFS winnings taxable?

Yes. DFS winnings are taxable income in the United States. Platforms are required to issue a 1099 form if your net winnings exceed $600 in a calendar year. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Can I play DFS on my phone?

Yes. All major DFS platforms offer dedicated iOS and Android apps with full lineup-building, contest entry, and live scoring functionality. Mobile is the most popular way to play DFS.

All topics in New York

New York / Daily Fantasy Sports Sites

Top Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in New York 2026

Reviewed byBonusBell·BonusBell Editorial Team

Rankings last reviewed:February 28, 2026New York legal data verified:April 7, 2026

7 Platforms

Legal

Age 18+

New York State Gaming Commission

Top Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in New York

PrizePicks

65/100

Play $5, Get $50 (no play-through, 90-day expiration)

Licensed

Dfs

63 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-19

Why #1: PrizePicks leads daily fantasy sports sites in New York because Contest Variety is stronger than most peers and Prize Pools is stronger than most peers.

Visit Site

Rating: 4.8

DraftKings DFS

72/100

$3 ticket on $5 deposit + 20% deposit match (play credits)

Licensed

Dfs

59 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-19

Why #2: DraftKings DFS earns the #2 spot for daily fantasy sports sites in New York because Contest Variety is stronger than most peers and Prize Pools is stronger than most peers.

Visit Site

Rating: 4.5

FanDuel DFS

70/100

Free contest entry + 100% deposit match up to $100

Licensed

Dfs

60 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-19

Why #3: FanDuel DFS earns the #3 spot for daily fantasy sports sites in New York because Contest Variety is stronger than most peers and Prize Pools is stronger than most peers.

Visit Site

Rating: 4.7

Yahoo DFS

68/100

$10 site credit (10,000 YSRP)

Licensed

Dfs

55 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-08

Visit Site

Rating: 4.4

Underdog Fantasy

71/100

Play $5, Get $75 in bonus entries

Licensed

Dfs

15 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-18

Visit Site

Rating: 4.6

Thrive Fantasy

55/100

100% deposit match up to $250

Licensed

Dfs

33 US states

Review: Incomplete

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-08

Visit Site

Rating: 2.9

Betcha

68/100

See current app offer

Licensed

Dfs

58 regions

Review: Verified

Bonus: None found

Fact-checked 2026-04-17

Visit Site

Rating: 3.8

Quick Comparison

					Key Feature
1	PRPrizePicks Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-19	—	$10	65/100	#1 pick'em app in US; Arena format enables nationwide availability
2	DraftKings DFS Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-19	—	$5	72/100	Largest DFS platform; ESPN partnership; industry-leading app and prize pools
3	FanDuel DFS Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-19	—	$10	70/100	#2 DFS market share; best single-game contests; integrated with sportsbook
4	Yahoo DFS Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-08	—	$10	68/100	Integrated with Yahoo Sports ecosystem; good for casual players
5	Underdog Fantasy Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-18	—	$10	71/100	Best payouts in industry; Best Ball and Battle Royale unique formats
6	Thrive Fantasy Review: Incomplete Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-08	—	$10	55/100	Strong esports coverage; one of the oldest pick'em platforms
7	BEBetcha Review: Verified Bonus: None found Fact-checked 2026-04-17	—	—	68/100	Social graph features

New York legalized daily fantasy sports in August 2016 through the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act — one of the first explicit DFS legislative frameworks in the country, established after years of legal debate. The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all licensed DFS operators. DraftKings and FanDuel were both founded in the Boston area with heavy New York City customer bases, making NY one of the most active DFS markets in the country. The legal age for DFS in New York is 18. New York's sports ecosystem — Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Bills, Sabres — provides DFS content across every major professional sport throughout the year. DFS winnings are subject to New York state income tax (graduated rates up to 10.9% at high incomes) and federal reporting. Our list shows all 7 DFS platforms currently accepting New York players.

Daily Fantasy Sports Sites Legal Status in New York

Regulatory Body: New York State Gaming Commission · Legal since August 2016

•New York legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports in August 2016
•The state was a key battleground in the early DFS regulation debate
•DraftKings and FanDuel (both headquartered in the NYC area) are major operators
•NY has one of the largest DFS player populations in the country

How Daily Fantasy Sports Work

In daily fantasy sports, you draft a lineup of real athletes subject to a salary cap — each player is assigned a cost, and you must build your roster within budget. Your lineup earns points based on those athletes' real statistical performances in actual games. You then enter that lineup into contests where you compete against other users' lineups — not against the platform itself. Contest types range from head-to-head matchups to 50/50 games (top half wins) to large-field GPP tournaments where a small number of entries win large payouts.

DFS Legal Status in New York

Daily fantasy sports is classified as a game of skill in most US states, placing it outside traditional gambling law in many jurisdictions. A majority of states allow DFS explicitly, though a handful have laws that restrict or prohibit it. Platforms operating in New York are required to comply with applicable state regulations, which may include licensing fees, consumer protection requirements, and age verification. Our list reflects platforms that are actively and legally operating in New York as of 2026.

DFS Strategy Tips for Beginners

Start with cash games (50/50s and head-to-heads) rather than large GPP tournaments. Cash games pay roughly half the field, making them far more forgiving for players still learning lineup construction. Study ownership percentages — in GPPs, heavily owned players reduce your lineup's differentiation. Target value plays: mid-priced players with advantageous matchups or extra opportunity due to teammate injuries often provide better points-per-dollar than expensive studs. Never enter more contests than your bankroll supports.

Learn More

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

10 min read

DFS Ownership & Leverage

10 min read

Lineup Optimization Theory

9 min read

Bankroll Management Basics

7 min read

Variance & Volatility

7 min read

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

BonusBell is an independent information source. We may earn a commission when you sign up via our links. Rankings are based on independent research and analysis. Terms and conditions apply to all offers. 18+ only.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) (New York) or the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.

All topics in New York

New York / Daily Fantasy Sports Sites

Top Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in New York 2026

Reviewed byBonusBell·BonusBell Editorial Team

Rankings last reviewed:February 28, 2026New York legal data verified:April 7, 2026

7 Platforms

Legal

Age 18+

New York State Gaming Commission