NEW YORK — About once a month, Brian Sanchez and his friends meet at Smithfield Hall sports bar in Manhattan for drinks and a good game.

The group of friends are from New York, but now live in New Jersey. On Saturday, they said they were excited that New York state has officially started allowing residents to take part in online sports betting through phone applications and computers.

“I have a cousin who’s going to start betting now — he lives in the Bronx,” said Sanchez, while toasting beers with his friends.

“You’re with a group of friends, and then you see a game on, we can all put a bet on it,” he added. “Each person puts $10 down. I was thinking about doing it today, actually."

Mobile wagering was approved last year. Four companies that were selected to provide the service by the state Gaming Commission are currently operating.

“I use DraftKings most of the time, I use FanDuel sometimes," Sanchez said. "I have like 93 cents in the account."

The group was able to convince Sanchez’ brother, Kevin Sanchez, to get in on the betting action Saturday.  

“I guess I’m more interested because I’m more out, I guess, so it’s kind of like a social activity in a way, and plus if he signs me up, he gets, I think, credit or bonus or something like that,” Kevin Sanchez said.

Brian Sanchez said he thinks this is exactly what will happen on regular sports days. He believes it will increase business for bar owners.

“More bars will probably be packed, because people are going to bet more and stay in the bar longer,” he said.

Smithfield Hall part-owner Kieron Slattery said business on sports days is pretty good, but added that it was about time for the introduction of online betting.

“My number one thing is it’s going to bring money into New York City. That's where I think the big gain for us all is,” Slattery said. “The money they were spending in Jersey or online in other states, out of state, in other countries, they can spend it here now."

Brian Sanchez said he believes other states will probably follow suit now that New York has allowed it.

“I don’t know how many states are in it now, maybe 15, 14 states could bet, so people are going to think, 'If New York can do it, other states will join in,'” he said.