Editor’s note: The original version of this article did not include comment from the New York State Gaming Commission.
A boutique operator is exiting America’s largest online sports betting market.
Resorts World Bet informed its customers that the online sportsbook is closing operations in New York after being one of the first to obtain a wagering license in the state. Resorts World solidified its presence in the Empire State in 2022 as one of the nine original online sportsbooks to launch in the state during its debut as a regulated market.
Resorts World Bet is slowly exiting New York, with customers able to place wagers and make deposits with the platform until June 16. The operator is asking customers to make withdrawals by June 22 to ensure payments are processed before its closure date.
Resorts World Bet is leaving New York due to an inability to increase market share and drive revenue growth. Since 2022, the sportsbook has accepted $263.3 million in wagers with revenue at $17.6 million. By comparison, FanDuel reported a $803.1 million handle for May 2025, with revenue for the Flutter-owned brand reaching $108.8 million for the month.
Last month, Resorts World closed with the lowest online sports betting handle in New York at $9.1 million. Gross gaming revenue from wagering for the operator reached $769,446.
SBC Americas reached out to both Resorts World about the exit but has yet to receive a response from the company while the New York State Gaming Commission “has been made aware of and has no objection to Empire Resorts, Inc.’s submitted plan to wind down its mobile sports wagering operations in New York.”
Available license in New York
It is unclear whether Resorts World Bet will attempt to sell its New York license.
There is precedent for that. In 2024, PENN Entertainment agreed to acquire Wynn Interactive Holding’s online sports betting licenses in a deal valued at $25 million. Wynn offloaded the licenses after shuttering operations of its online sports betting platform WynnBet in New York and several other states. WynnBet initially launched operations in New York in February 2022.
The deal saw PENN launch ESPN Bet in New York as a rebrand of Barstool Sportsbook. PointsBet also exited New York as part of Fanatics’ $225 million U.S. operations takeover.
New York will be home to eight sportsbooks following Resorts World Bet’s exit. Online sports betting operators that have yet to gain market access in the Empire State but could consider acquiring the available license include Hard Rock Bet, bet365 and Underdog.
Resorts World reaches settlement
Resorts World Bet is leaving New York as its parent company deals with regulatory scrutiny.
In March, Resorts World agreed to a proposed $10.5 million settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for alleged “unsuitable methods of operation.”
The allegations against Resort World stemmed from the conduct of illegal bookie Matthew Bowyer, who wagered at Resorts World Las Vegas without the casino verifying his source of funds. The funds included a $1 million front-money deposit. Bowyer gambled at Resorts World using proceeds from his illegal gambling operation, which has ties to Ippei Mizuhara—the former interpreter for MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani.
In February, Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for illegally siphoning more than $15 million from Ohtani’s account to gamble with Bowyer.
The NGCB’s settlement also mentions illegal gambling at Resorts World by Damien LeForbes, a professional poker player who also operated an illegal gambling scheme.
