Press Releases
PlayNY: New York could be $20 billion sports betting market, but may not reach potential

New York could become the largest legal sports-betting market in the United States, capable of generating $20 billion a year in wagers, if Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes good on his proposal to make online sports betting legal in the state, according to projections by PlayNY, which offers news and analysis of the New York gaming market. But the state could fall short of that potential if mobile sports betting is run as a monopoly through the New York State Gaming Commission.
“There is no question that New York would almost immediately become the crown jewel of the legal U.S. sports betting market,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayNY.com. “The devil is always in the details, but opening a market that could be worth more than $20 billion a year in bets could be a game-changing moment for the entire industry. On the other hand, a state monopoly, such as what Gov. Cuomo proposed, would be a mistake that could forever limit the ceiling for New York.”
With an open market such as New Jersey, New York has the potential to generate more than $1 billion of gross gaming revenue annually on more than $20 billion in bets, according to PlayNY projections. Though the tax structure is yet to be decided, if taxed identically to retail sportsbooks, that would produce more than $100 million in tax revenue annually.
The Empire State has already proven to be a significant revenue generator for New Jersey. A report from gaming researcher Eilers & Krejcik Gaming in February 2020 estimated New Yorkers wagered $837 million in New Jersey in 2019.
“Mobile sports betting will undoubtedly draw billions in bets in New York, and is easily one of the most prized markets that have yet to legalize it,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for PlayNY.com. “It will be a big market no matter what, but the Cuomo plan has a chance to significantly lower the potential revenue ceiling.”
Several states have structured their online sports betting operations as a state-run monopoly. States such as New Hampshire, which contracted DraftKings to operate the state’s online sportsbook, have contracted major sports betting brands with positive results. Others, such as Montana, Oregon, and Rhode Island, operate online sports betting exclusively themselves. Generally, that results in suppressing a state’s handle by an average of 50% of the market’s potential, according to PlayNY research.
A state-run sportsbook allows the state to capture more of the gross gaming revenue, which makes it appealing to state governments. But a monopoly would do little to aid struggling racetracks and retail casinos in New York. And bettors are left with fewer choices and less enticing promotions, among other issues.
“The intent for New York and other states is to produce revenue for the state, and a state-run monopoly can do that very thing,” Ramsey said. “But bettors ultimately suffer and tend to engage less than in states that are open markets, artificially reducing the size of the market. It’s a balance that New York will have to grapple with as the state figures out how to structure mobile sports betting.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in New York, visit PlayNY.com/news.
Latest News
ZITRO’S PERFECT GAME COMBO NOW AT WINPOT BOCA DEL RÍO

Following the success of its installation at Winpot Puebla, Zitro strengthens its partnership with the Mexican operator by launching its innovative line of CONCEPT cabinets at Winpot Boca del Río.
CONCEPT arrives with Zitro’s perfect game combo: Legendary Sword and King Fu Frog. Thanks to their high-quality graphics and innovative mechanics, both titles are designed to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. The machines feature the Magic Lighting system, which synchronizes lights and sounds with the game, in addition to their modern Screen Deck, providing greater comfort and functionality for players and the operations team, among many other features that make it a worldwide success.
Anuar Haua, Operations Director of Winpot, commented: “After our success with the CONCEPT cabinets in our Puebla venue, it was natural to bring this experience to the Boca del Río public. The response from our players has been incredible, and with this new installation, we reaffirm our commitment to offering the best of the market, hand in hand with Zitro.”
Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, added: “We are proud to see how CONCEPT continues to gain ground in Mexico, now also at Winpot Boca del Río. This collaboration reflects the mutual commitment we share with Winpot to elevate the player experience through technology, design, and innovation.”
Canada
Surrey Resident Wins Record-Breaking $80-Million Lotto Max Jackpot

Justin Simporios is normally a sound sleeper who “can fall asleep anywhere” – but he had a very sleepless night, after learning he won an $80-million Lotto Max jackpot from the May 9, 2025 draw. This is the largest lottery jackpot ever won in B.C. and is also the largest jackpot ever won by a single individual in Canada.
“It was 10:30 p.m.,” recalled Simporios of the moment he realized he won. “I saw that someone won $80 million in Surrey. I was joking and told my wife ‘we’re millionaires!’ and she told me to stop making that joke. After, I manually checked each number before scanning [using the BCLC Lotto! I cried and shouted, ‘we’re millionaires!’”
The Surrey resident woke up his wife to share the news. “She was in complete disbelief and a bit mad at me because our daughter wasn’t feeling well.” Simporios’ wife luckily agreed this was a good reason to wake her.
While still in disbelief about his win, Simporios is ultimately most excited to share his windfall with his family. “I want to help my family and my wife’s family. I’ll pay off my sister’s medical school debt and help my mom retire early – just giving my family a head start in life.”
Giving back to the community in Surrey and B.C. is also a key priority for Simporios. “I’ve struggled before and needed help. Even if I can give an ounce of happiness, I want to help where we can. This feels like a dream.”
As an avid LA Lakers fan, Simporios mentioned he would like to see LeBron James play before James retires. He also plans to visit his family in the Philippines for a family reunion. “My wife and kid have never visited!”
On how it feels to win a record-breaking jackpot?
“The biggest change will be having more time with my wife and family. We want to live with a purpose – to help the community around us.”
Simporios purchased the winning ticket at the Walmart Supercentre in Central City on King George Boulevard in Surrey.
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $101 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST).
Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices. Learn more about the BCLC Lotto!
BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits.
eSports
LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW

LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
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