This decision overturned a previous ruling declaring fantasy sports competitions unconstitutional.
Fantasy sports competitions in New York State have now been declared constitutional. The New York State Court of Appeals has overturned a previous law on the books that had banned fantasy sports competitions.

These games allow players to roster athletes in a particular sport and use individual performance statistics to declare a game winner.

The New York Supreme Court has ruled that fantasy sports leagues, which award prizes to participants, are sufficiently skill-based and do not violate state laws banning gambling.

The court said in a statement, "We clarify today that the historic prohibition against 'gambling' [in the New York Constitution] does not apply to skill-based competitions in which participants who have a significant impact on the outcome of the competition are awarded. predetermined fixed prizes by a neutral operator."

Prior to this decision, fantasy sports competitions such as those run by DraftKings and FanDuel had been declared unconstitutional. A lower court had previously ruled in favour of the 2016 law. The state appealed shortly afterwards.

The ban imposed by the lower court did not apply to mobile sports betting. New York State has opened up to legalising mobile sports betting. Mobile sports betting in New York was approved by the legislature in April 2021 and began operating in January 2022.

Following the recent boom in sports betting across New York City that began two months ago, the Empire State will now also consider additional legislation that will further open up the market. Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. last month introduced Bill S8412, which, if passed, would legalise iGaming in New York.