New York Lawmakers Move to Ban Bettors Who Harass Athletes

New York lawmakers are taking another run at a problem that’s only grown louder with the rise of legal sports betting. Issues with bettors harassing athletes, coaches, and officials when wagers go sideways has become commonplace, to the point where legal action has the potential to be taken. 

A pair of anti-harassment bills moving through Albany would give state regulators the power to hit abusive bettors by cutting them off from legal sportsbooks altogether.

Gambling-Related Harassment Puts Bettors at Risk of Bans In New York

At the center of the effort is Senate Bill 7482, introduced by Sen. Toby Stavisky and now back in play for 2026 as a carry-over from the first year of New York’s two-year legislative session. The bill would amend the state’s racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and breeding law to create a new category of “prohibited sports bettor.”

Under SB 7482, anyone found to have harassed or shown a harmful pattern of conduct toward amateur or professional athletes, coaches, officials, or other participants in a sporting event could be banned from betting in the state. The definition of harassment is broad by design, covering verbal, written, or electronic threats and any conduct that would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress or fear for their safety, or the safety of someone else.

If the Gaming Commission determines a bettor crosses that line, it would be required to notify the individual of their prohibited status. The updated version of the bill also includes an appeals process, allowing banned bettors to submit a written challenge to contest the designation.

Assembly Bill Advances as Senate Measure Waits

While Stavisky’s Senate bill is still awaiting further movement, its Assembly counterpart is already gaining traction. Assembly Bill 7903 mirrors the Senate language and recently advanced out of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee with a unanimous 10-0 vote. The bill now heads to a third reading, the final step before a full Assembly vote. If it clears that hurdle, it would move on to the Senate.

New York wouldn’t be breaking new ground if the legislation passes. Ohio became the first state to link gambling-related harassment to regulatory penalties in 2023, giving its Casino Control Commission the authority to ban bettors who threaten athletes, referees, coaches, or officials. West Virginia followed suit in 2024, passing a law that allows regulators to bar bettors who engage in a pattern of abusive conduct toward sports participants. Wyoming regulators have taken a similar approach through rule making, placing harassing bettors on the state’s involuntary exclusion list.

The push comes amid growing evidence that betting-related abuse has become a routine part of life for athletes, particularly online. An anonymous survey of NFL players found harassment ranging from demands to reimburse gambling losses to outright death threats, often delivered through Instagram or X/Twitter. Even players far removed from box scores, like offensive linemen, reported receiving abusive messages multiple times a season.

At the college level, the numbers are just as concerning. An NCAA study found that more than a third of Division I men’s basketball players experienced social media abuse tied to sports betting, often linked to player props or single-game outcomes. NCAA President Charlie Baker has since called on regulators to rethink prop betting altogether, arguing it increases the risk to athlete safety and the integrity of games.

Alex Warren

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