New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores filed a bill last Friday that would bar sports betting operators from restricting the “size and frequency” of wagers or deposits by bettors. The legislation, A9125, includes exceptions for bettors suspected of problem gambling or engaging in suspicious activity.
The New York State Legislature concluded its 2025 session on June 17 and will reconvene on January 7, 2026. Bills introduced in 2025, including A9125, carry over to the next session.
Under the proposed law, wagering operators would be prohibited from limiting bettors who “obtain financial benefit” from betting or because of a customer’s wagering activity. While A9125 may be among the first of its kind in the United States, Massachusetts regulators are also reviewing whether operators can restrict bettors based on wins or losses. Data from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) revealed that of the 0.64% of bettors who had been limited, winning customers were disproportionately affected.
Bettors Must Be Notified Within 24 Hours
The bill also addresses notification practices. A9125 stipulates that “the mobile sports wagering operator or mobile sports wagering platform shall, within twenty-four hours of issuing such limit or ban, provide electronic written notice to such authorized sports bettor.”
This notice would need to explain why the bettor was restricted, the duration of the limit, and, if appropriate, provide a problem gambling helpline number. Exceptions to the prohibition are narrowly defined to cover only “suspicious wagering activity” or behavior that indicates a gambling disorder.
Context: Previous New York Attempts
New York lawmakers have previously explored bet-limiting legislation from a different angle. In April, Assemblyman Robert Carroll introduced a bill, A7962, that would have restricted individual bettors to a $5,000 wager limit per day and a maximum of five deposits within 24 hours.
Carroll’s bill also proposed advertising restrictions, including bans on ads from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., prohibiting odds boosts and bonus bet language, and forbidding instructional content on wagering. However, the legislation did not advance out of the Racing and Wagering Committee amid concerns that high-stakes bettors might take their business to neighboring states, impacting New York’s tax revenue.
Massachusetts Highlights Wider Industry Concerns
New York is not alone in scrutinizing sportsbook practices. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been investigating the limiting of winning customers for months. MGC Chair Jordan Maynard said operators argue limits are necessary to protect themselves against certain bettors, but many customers face restrictions “with little to no justification or notification.”
Among limited Massachusetts bettors, 57.6% saw their betting amounts reduced to between 1% and 24% of what is available to most users. The MGC continues to study this practice, while New York’s legislation could provide data and guidance when A9125 is reviewed by the Assembly’s gaming committee in 2026.
Looking Ahead
A9125’s introduction represents a significant step in the U.S. conversation about bettor protections and fair treatment. If passed, it would prevent sportsbooks from penalizing customers simply for winning, while still allowing safeguards for problem gambling and suspicious activity.
Source:
“NY State Senator Files Bill That Would Ban Operators From Limiting Bettors”, ingame.com, Septembar 30, 2025
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