Many gamblers are wondering about the legal status of online casinos in NY. The availability of online casino gambling in NY remains somewhat of a grey area, however, for those interested in the possibilities, internationally licensed and regulated online sports betting sites have been legal since January 2022.
To get you started, our team has looked through all the best online casinos in the US to demonstrate which sites you may want to explore.
Online Casinos for New York Residents
Is Online Gambling Legal in New York?
While New York has passed state legislation for online and retail sports betting, the same cannot be said for online gambling.
The legal consequences for gambling in New York are stated in New York (NY) Penal Code Article 225. Article 225.00 states that:
“A person engages in gambling when he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”
(NY) Penal Code Article 225
The law focusses punishing those who profit from gambling or assists in the execution of a gambling business. But what types of gambling are allowed and which are not?
Article 1, Section 9 of the New York Constitution states that all types of gambling are prohibited in the state, with the exception of:
- Pari-mutuel betting on horses
- State lotteries
- Charitable gaming, specifically bingo and lotteries
- Up to seven commercial casinos, as well as tribal casinos
As can be seen, an exception is not made for online gambling and so it is not exclusively permitted. However, since its penal code focuses on those who run gambling operations, New York residents are unlikely to face legal consequences for using out-of-state online casinos to gamble.
Sports Gambling & NY Betting Sites
New York officially launched online sports betting in the state on January 8, 2022.
Since then, New York has proven to be the country’s most prominent sports betting revenue hub.
From January 8 to May 22, legal online bookmakers in the state have reported a combined handle of $7.152 billion, according to the New York State Gaming Commission.
But how can you get in on the action? Follow the link to find the best sports betting sites accepting New York residents right now.
Online Poker in New York State
Multiple states, including neighboring New Jersey, have already passed legislation allowing online poker. Building on the success of online sports betting, we wager that New York will soon pass laws allowing the licensing of online poker rooms in the state.
In the meantime, New Yorkers must play on international sites that take American players. Though only a few are left, there are still good opportunities for New York poker players online.
The big names in the game, such as Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker, had to leave New York state in 2011. A few other poker networks have popped up to offer the game to residents of the State. The players’ volume isn’t as good as it used to be, but for fans of the game, it is better than nothing.
Usually the online poker rooms available to New York residents are joined to sites which also offer sports betting and casino games. For players looking to play a variety of games, the situation isn’t so bad.
Of course, when looking for online poker sites, New York players must select a site that takes security seriously. The risk with online poker is facing cheaters or bots. Any serious poker player knows you need to find a site that fights against fraud with vigor and roots out this type of cheater. All the gambling sites we recommend for New York players are rigorous and dedicated to player safety. You can trust that when you play in their poker rooms, you face real players, not bots.
Gambling History NY
Breakdown of the Top New York Online Casinos
You’ll be delighted with our top picks for US online casinos. Each casino offers extensive game variety, helpful customer service, large bonus offers, and an array of banking options for funding.
Las Atlantis
Pros
- $14,000 welcome bonus
- Modern look and feel
- Crypto banking methods, including Bitcoin
- Demo mode available
Cons
- A small roster of games outside of slots
- No live-dealer games
BetUS
Pros
- 200% crypto bonus
- 100% mobile friendly
- Payouts within 48 hours
- Generous welcome bonuses: 150% on casinos and 100% on sports
Cons
- Limited banking options: only four cryptocurrencies are accepted
- Not many slots to choose from
- $2,500 deposit limit
Lupin Casino
Pros
- $8,888 Welcome Bonus welcome bonus
- Excellent customer service via live chat and e-mail
- Simple, easy-to-use UI
- Easy to sign up
Cons
- No P2P support
- Games from only one software provider
El Royale Casino
Where Is Online Gambling Most Popular in New York?
Throughout the state of New York, there’s an ever-increasing interest in online gambling.
What Cities in New York Gamble Online the Most?
(Listed by the average percentage of searches statewide).
Utica, NY – 15.6%
Binghamton, NY – 13.9%
Syracuse, NY – 12.8%
Rochester, NY – 10.7%
New York, NY – 10.5%
Albany, NY – 10.1%
Buffalo, NY – 9.9%
Watertown, NY – 8.7%
Other – 7.8%
We found that online gambling searches are pretty evenly spread out throughout the state. It seems like anywhere you live in NY state, you’re not alone if you’re interested in gambling.
Here are some more interesting points:
- The most significant spike in NY online casino interest peaked in the summer of 2020.
- With recent discussions around New York online betting sites, there’s been a substantial increase in sports betting topics searched in recent months.
- Despite being the most densely populated city in New York with over 8.2 million residents, NYC seldom ranks at the top for the total number of searches. This would suggest that rural gamblers flock to play online more often though it is still prevalent in the city.
Land-Based Casino Options for Gambling in New York
New York has a solid retail casino presence. Looking at a map, these casinos are scattered relatively evenly throughout the state.
Residents don’t have to travel too far to experience a more traditional way of gambling. We’ve listed some of the top casinos in New York State below:
-
Location Address Phone Number Point Place Casino 450 452 NY-31, Bridgeport, NY 13030 (315) 366-9610 Seneca Allegany 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd, Salamanca, NY 14779 (888) 913-3377 Seneca Niagara Casino 310 4th St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (877) 873-6322 Turning Stone Casino 5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY 13478 (800) 771-7711 Resorts World NY 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Queens, NY 11420 (718) 215-2828 Saratoga Casino Hotel 342 Jefferson St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-2110 Empire City Casino 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 (914) 968-4200
But what would this section be without some fun facts? Here are a few NY gambling stats we thought you’d appreciate:
- There are a total of 32 brick-and-mortar casinos in NY.
- Slot games are the most popular form of gambling in New York, consistently bringing in over 60% of total gambling revenue.
- Within the first two months of 2021, land-based casinos in New York brought in $71,405,931 of total revenue between slots, table games, poker, and sports gambling.
- In 2019 New York Lottery ticket sales were higher than the rest of the United States by a margin of over 30%!
Popular Games in NY
New York residents love gambling like the residents of the rest of the US. Below are some of the state’s favorites:
Sports betting is alive and blooming in New York. Newly legalized and with many options to choose from — both in-state and out — NY bettors have never had it so good. Most online casinos have a sportsbook of some kind. If sports betting is your thing, you can find a casino that caters to your needs: NFL, NBA, MLB and beyond. If your tastes are slightly more exotic, no problem at all. Expanding in areas such as international soccer or esports betting. How very 21st century!
A staple of casinos, many would argue that a casino is not really a casino without a good selection of table games. If you’re into roulette, blackjack, craps, or baccarat, one of our top choices has got you covered. Not only will top online casinos offer the staple table games, they should also have variations of the game you are looking for. It is common to see both European and American roulette, Multi-Hand and Single-Deck blackjack.
Live-dealer games are a treat. In this case, rather than playing against the computer, a live-dealer — shown on video via webcam — will deal the cards, spin the wheel, and interact with players. Live-dealer games are popular because they bring online players that much closer to the real casino experience. Online casinos offer a range of live-dealer games; blackjack and roulette are probably the most popular. If you want in-person action, live-dealer games have you covered.
Slots just might be the most popular type of game at online casinos. You will find them at most, if not all, online casinos. The game itself is simple: push the button and see if you’ve got a winning combination. It really could not be any simpler. Due to their popularity, online casinos offer tons of slots options. Some even have over 150 varieties. If slots are your game, online casinos have got you covered.
Lovers of specialty of games, arise! Your time has come. While in the past, specialty games may have been hard to find, now the best online casinos cater to them. Specialty games are those you do not always associate with casinos. Would you expect to see a scratch card or keno inside a casino? These games are usually found in their own section, entitled “Specialty Games.”. If these are the games you are looking for, make sure the online casino has them before signing up.
Why Trust These NY Online Casinos?
Our team recommended these sites for NY players because this is where they’ll get the best chance at big payouts, a great variety of games, and fantastic customer service and support.
All casinos for New York residents on our All casinos for New York residents on our recommendation list have met the following specific criteria and guidelines essential to the gambling experience:
How to Sign Up and Make a Deposit at an Online Casino in NY
Legal Sources for NY Gambling
There has been a lot going on in New York recently. To stay up to date with the ever-changing legality of online casinos, bookmark the following websites:
New York State Legislature Article 225
New York Constitution
Our articles on gambling in New York
New York Online Casinos FAQs
-
Yes. You can indeed find a variety of reliable casino sites for players in New York. There are a ton of trustworthy offshore casinos that take on players from the US. Our top picks for casino apps and websites have been listed in the table at the top of this page.
-
The law in New York is structured around those who set up and profit from unauthorized forms of gambling. You are unlikely to face legal consequences for playing at offshore casinos from New York.
-
You most certainly can! The games offered on the sites we recommend are all available to play for money. Hundreds of new games and old classics await gamblers of all kinds.
-
Just refer to our list of the best online casinos for NY players. Our top picks have mobile-optimized gambling websites or corresponding online casino apps along with their desktop counterparts. You’ll be able to play your favorite games, including slots, baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and more, from the convenience of your phone or tablet wherever you’re in NYS. We’ll only ever recommend the top mobile casino sites to play.
-
Online gambling sites are safe for New York gamblers to use. Still, it’s essential to pick reputable casino apps and gambling sites. There are shady online casinos that are known not to pay out their players. Or they like to hide specific terms and conditions in the fine print. You want to be sure to avoid gambling sites like this. We’ve got you covered on all the safest online casinos in 2023.
-
Any top gambling site listed on this page will work anywhere in the state of New York. Whether you’re trying to play casino games online in NYC or join an online poker tournament from Utica, we’ve covered you with our recommendations.
-
There are some, yes, but ultimately, we’ve found that online casinos for NYC residents tend to focus more on appealing to people from the city with design and marketing than on what’s essential; the casino games, bonuses, and customer support. This was one of many factors when selecting our list of the top casino sites for NY.
-
They’ll work, and they’ll work great! We’ve tested every casino app on various Apple and Android devices to ensure that each is fully mobile-friendly. You shouldn’t have any issues playing games from your iPhone, Android, or tablet in New York.
-
Casino winnings in New York are taxed as income tax, both at the federal and state level. Any prize over $5000 will be subject to automatic withholding of 24%. For the lottery, the rate is 8.82%.
-
To gamble in NY, you need to be 18+ years old.
-
There are several types of measures in place to encourage responsible gambling. The New York State Gaming Commission offers a range of services as part of their Responsible Gaming program, from a hotline to a voluntary self-exclusion service. On top of this, online casinos encourage players to gamble responsibly and many — the best and most conscientious — exclude players should they detect issues and allow players to self-exclude.
