Every licensed sportsbook app in New York defaults to American odds — also called moneyline format — but most let you toggle to decimal or fractional in your account settings. Understanding what each format actually means before you tap "Place Bet" is the difference between knowing your true payout and guessing at it. New York mobile sports betting launched January 8, 2022, and the NYSGC-licensed apps that have been live since then all follow this same display convention.
What are American odds and how do you read them?
American odds use a plus or minus sign anchored to $100. A negative number tells you how much you need to risk to profit $100 — the standard -110 on a spread bet means you risk $110 to win $100, which is where the sportsbook's built-in vig lives. A positive number flips that: +150 means a $100 wager returns $150 profit. A moneyline, specifically, is a straight wager on which team wins the game outright with no point spread applied, so you'll see larger swings between the favorite's minus number and the underdog's plus number. Comparing -110 versus -108 lines across apps on the same game is the standard method for finding a better price — two points of juice sounds trivial until you're betting regularly.
How do decimal and fractional odds work by comparison?
Decimal odds, common in Europe and Canada, express the total return per $1 wagered including your stake back. So -110 American becomes roughly 1.91 decimal — bet $10, get back $19.10 total. Fractional odds, the traditional UK format, show profit relative to stake: that same -110 line appears as approximately 10/11, meaning you profit $10 for every $11 wagered. Neither format changes what you actually receive; they're just different lenses on the same number. If you come from a poker or casino math background, decimal tends to click faster because the implied probability calculation is straightforward: divide 1 by the decimal odds.
Which format suits which type of bettor?
American odds suit bettors who think in terms of "how much do I need to risk" — a natural frame for straight spread and moneyline wagers. Decimal is better if you're building parlay math in your head, since you multiply the decimal odds of each leg together to get the combined multiplier. Fractional works well if you're used to horse racing. That said, NY sportsbooks are not required to publish RTP percentages the way casino slot operators are — payouts are market-determined — so regardless of the format you display, the underlying margin is the same. For a deeper look at how that margin compounds across multi-leg tickets, see Parlay Betting at New York Sportsbooks: What the Odds Really Cost You.
How do the three formats compare side by side?
| Format | Example (standard spread) | Profit on $110 wager | Implied probability | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American (moneyline) | -110 | $100 | ~52.4% | Spread and moneyline bettors; US-native users |
| Decimal | 1.91 | $100.10 (on $110) | ~52.4% | Parlay builders; bettors from European markets |
| Fractional | 10/11 | $100 | ~52.4% | Horse racing crossover bettors; UK-style wagering background |
Does the odds format affect which app you should choose?
The format toggle is a display preference, not a product differentiator — what actually separates apps is the underlying line. FanDuel and DraftKings are the two highest-volume operators in the NY market, and their lines on the same game can differ by a point or two of juice on any given day. To see how those two stack up on odds consistency, app experience, and promotional value, the FanDuel vs DraftKings New York: Which App Wins in 2026? breakdown covers the comparison in detail. For the full ranked list of every licensed NY operator, visit Best New York Sportsbooks Ranked: FanDuel, DraftKings & More. If you want a granular look at how one specific app prices its markets, the FanDuel New York Review: Odds, Bonus Bets, and Withdrawal Speed covers the line quality and withdrawal process in plain terms.
Legal sports wagering in New York is available only to bettors physically located within state borders at the time of placing a bet; geolocation is enforced by all licensed apps. Bonus structures vary by operator and are subject to change — always review current terms directly in the app. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.