New York Online Casinos: Is Online Gambling Legal in NY?

New York Online Gambling Alternatives

While New York online gambling sites are currently prohibited, there are alternative options available for those who want to play online casino games. Several New York social casinos and sweepstakes casinos offer a variety of options that you can play right now, including online slots, table games, card games and progressive jackpots.  

Even more exciting, gamblers at these sites have a chance to win real prizes while enjoying a Las-Vegas style online casino experience. To help choose between these alternatives, we narrowed the list of available options for gamblers in NY. 

High 5 Casino

High 5 Casino is a highly rated social and sweepstakes casino site and app that you can find on both iOS and Android, and better yet, you can win real-money prizes! You'll be able to enjoy over 800 Las Vegas-style online slot machines and table games at High 5 as well. 

This legal online casino offers plenty of games that you'll recognize from the casinos in NY including Triple Double Da Vinci Diamonds, Platinum Goddess, American Blackjack, Multi-hand Blackjack, Roulette and Dragon Tiger - a special version of baccarat. 

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Pulsz Social Casino

Pulsz is a legal and safe option to play online casino in NY, and it operates as one of New York's sweepstakes sites, meaning you can win real-money prizes! 

Players at Pulsz can enjoy more than 500 Las Vegas-style casino games with one of two virtual currencies, being Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. You can purchase Gold Coins, but the winnings on these only provide entertainment and will earn more playing time. Sweeps Coins will allow players to win real-money prizes, but they cannot be purchased. 

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BetRivers.net Casino4Fun

BetRivers.net is the social gaming arm of the more well-known BetRivers brand. 

With this New York online gambling brand, you can enjoy social casino (Casino4Fun) which offers more than 600 Las Vegas-style slot machines and table games, and a social sportsbook (Sports Zone). 

WOW Vegas

WOW Vegas is one of the more popular social casinos after initially launching in 2022. Here, you'll find everything that's offered at real-money casino sites, but it's a great free-to-play option for New York online casinos. 

With WOW Vegas, you'll find online slot machines, blackjack, poker and roulette. This social casino also offers some welcome bonuses that can boost casino bonuses, and you'll find a dedicated customer support team to help with any problems that you may encounter. 

Expected New York Online Casinos to Launch

Online casinos are now legal in six states, three of which – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut – share borders with New York. Several of the operators there can be expected to apply for licenses to open NY online casinos if they get the chance.

We can expect some of the best online casinos from many of the leading names in the market, and these operators will likely already have a foothold in the market through their sports betting offerings. 

Brands expected to launch New York online gambling apps are:

BetMGM Online Casino NY

The presence of a social casino with MGM branding could be expected given BetMGM's sportsbook, which has been in operation in the Empire State since January 2022.

The BetMGM Casino app is available for real-money online slots, table games and online poker elsewhere along with a great gambling experience. 

Biggest Takeaway

BetMGM New York casino is the market leader in US online casino, and for good reason. It has spectacularly good software, a huge choice of slot titles and table games as well as renowned levels of customer service. The promotions package is pretty good too! Check out the exclusive BetMGM NY MGM Grand Millions. It is a slot game with five reels, no paylines and 'All Ways' with 243 ways to win in the primary game and 1024 Ways to win in extra spins. 

BetRivers Online Casino NY

BetRivers Casino could very well be expected given the presence of the BetRivers sportsbook and Rivers Casino Schenectady. BetRivers Casino operates aside the sportsbook on the same app, so you can choose between the two if and when NY online casinos become legal. 

Biggest Takeaway

Rivers Casino is a famous name in the casino sector, and its online casino has won plenty of fans in the states where it is live. BetRivers New York casino users enjoy great functionality and a host of outstanding casino games. They also have access to iRush Rewards, one of the best loyalty programs in the business. 

Caesars Palace Online Casino NY

Caesars Online Casino operates in tandem with the Caesars Sportsbook, and can be accessible on the same app. However, Caesars also offers a standalone casino app under the Caesars Palace Online Casino brand. It's up to you for which one you want to go with - whether you like having the convenience of jumping between casino and sportsbook or just having a stellar online casino to play with. 

Caesars Casino is one of the highest-regarded online casino apps, and it's a near-given that it would be one of the available New York online casino sites. 

• Biggest Takeaway Caesars Online Casino brings a famous name and a long history to attract online casino players. It’s well known for having a big range of games and a distinctively bright and breezy tone to its marketing messages. Visitors also appreciate the high frequency of bonuses while they play online casino games.

FanDuel Casino NY

FanDuel's online casino app is one of the most popular, if not THE most popular, in the market. The app is highly rated by users and would be a compelling addition to the list of available online casinos in New York. 

The app provides a quality online gambling experience and is also found alongside the FanDuel sportsbook. 

• Biggest Takeaway FanDuel made its name in Daily Fantasy Sports, and pivoted superbly to become a pre-eminent online sports betting brand. Its online casino displays the polished excellence we’ve come to expect from FanDuel. Its lavish range of games is backed up by competitive bonuses and comes wrapped in a top-class mobile and online package.

How We Rate Online Casinos in NY

When we review and rate NY online casino operators, there are several key factors to take into account. At NYCasinos.com, we average each casino's score over each factor to come up with a star rating and a numerical rating - both are marked out of 5.

• Games The first thing you should see when you join any online casino platform is a rich choice of casino games to play. As well as the sheer volume of titles, however, there should be a broad range of game types. You should have a generous selection of slot machines, table games and live dealer games to browse. It’s also important that the games are organized logically – and that there is an efficient search function to help you to navigate to the option you want to play.
• Software A key consideration in the delivery of an efficient and entertaining online casino is the quality of software used by the operator in question. Check out whether or not the desktop or mobile app is driven by the brand’s software, or by a respected provider. Similarly, look at the list of game providers. The best online casinos will carry games by respected suppliers who have a solid reputation for delivering fantastic – and reliable – digital experiences.
• Banking Options Customers who visit New York online casinos will want to finance their wagering in a variety of ways. As a result, a good online casino will have a deep choice of banking methods. Check that the list of ways in which you can make a deposit includes an option you are comfortable with. Check also that you will be able to withdraw your winnings if you want to – and how long the process of transferring the money to your own account will take.
• Customer Service You could go for years enjoying online casino betting without ever having to contact your brand’s customer support team. However, when you do get in touch you want to have any issue resolved quickly and professionally. There should be several ways of making contact, including toll-free phone numbers, email addresses and live chat functions. The experience of pursuing a resolution should also be swift and simple.
• Responsible Gambling Every licensed online casino should display a clear and sincere commitment to responsible gambling. There should be a prominent link on the home screen to a section full of good advice about ensuring your wagering stays under control at all times. You should also be provided with direct links to expert state and federal agencies that can give you practical support if you need it.
• Promotions Think of online casino promotions as part of the cost of playing. The more promotions and the more giveaways, the less your casino play will cost. The house always wins so playing online casino will be an expense not a source of income - rare jackpots excepted! We check welcome promotions, VIP schemes and ongoing promotions so you can see the full value on offer.

Top New York Online Casino Games to Expect

When they eventually go live, the best New York online casinos will offer tempting choices for online casino games. The availability of these games will vary across online casinos, but you should expect to find the following.

• Online Slots The vast majority of titles at most New York gambling sites will be slot games, most of which are expected to be similar to those offered at casinos in the state. Slot machines are easy to understand and to play - and modern casino game developers are constantly delivering amazing visual experiences to add to the excitement to play online slots.
• Online Blackjack Blackjack is probably one of the most popular table games at retail casinos and online casinos, so you should expect to find the same when it comes to New York.
• Online Roulette You should expect to find roulette at any online casino, just as at any casino that offers table games. There are plenty of roulette variations found at online gambling sites, so you'll definitely find a version that fits your gambling interests.
• Online Live Dealer Games While most online casino players will be content with video games, sometimes it's more comforting to have a real life dealer in front of you. These types of online casino games are becoming widely popular, so it should be expected that live dealer games will be in New York once online gambling sites come to town.
• Online Craps Online craps are becoming more popular across online casino sites, and it's fully expected that if online gambling in NY does become legal, you'll find craps online as well. Online craps are the best way to play craps, as the land-based version can be intimidating as the game is fast-paced and typically crowded.
• Online Poker Poker is one of the most popular forms of gambling, so you can guarantee that the online version of poker will also be an option if and when New York online casinos go live. Whether you prefer to play an online version or like your cards being dealt by a live dealer is up to you. But for now, you cannot legally play online poker in New York.

Who Would Regulate NY Online Casinos?

The New York State Gaming Commission would regulate online casinos in NY if they become legal. The commission currently oversees the licensing and regulation of New York casinos, lottery, horse racing, sports betting, daily fantasy sports and charitable gaming. 

How to Contact the New York State Gaming Commission

If you have questions pertaining to casinos in NY or other forms of gambling in the Empire State, you can contact the New York State Gaming Commission. Here's how to get in touch with the NY gambling regulator:

• Website: New York State Gaming Commission
• Phone: 518-388-3300
• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @NYSGamingComm

NY Online Casino Bonuses

One of the most striking features of the online casino industry is the range and frequency of bonuses offered to its customers. NY online casinos will operate in a fiercely competitive environment, and eye-catching promotions will be one of the principal weapons used in the battle for players’ attention, investment and loyalty.

It is clear from the states that already have legal online casinos that New York players can expect a host of bonuses. These New York casino bonuses will take various forms, but they have a common purpose – to encourage you to play, and to enjoy the experience.

No-Deposit Bonuses 

Some operators will offer a no-deposit bonus – they will put funds into your balance as a thank-you for opening an online casino account. Because you have not made any investment yet, such bonuses tend to be relatively modest, usually $25 or $50. Nevertheless, they enable you to play real-money games without investing a dollar of your own. It gives you a chance to try out some of the slots or table games – the operator hopes you enjoy them so much that you gladly follow up by making your first deposit.  

Deposit Match Bonuses

This is a popular style of welcome bonus with operators and players alike. It’s simple to understand and implement; however much you invest as a first deposit is matched by the online casino, instantly doubling your bankroll. You should always check the terms and conditions to see what you have to do to enjoy the full benefit, but there is no doubting that this can get your initial dealings with a New York online casino off to a fun and relaxing start.

Bonus Spins

There are various ways in which you might be offered the chance to use bonus spins on slot games. Your online casino might give you a small number of spins on a particular game in the hope that you enjoy it and decide to play it for real. Regular customers might be offered bonus spins as part of their loyalty program rewards. You may also receive bonus spins as part of a welcome bonus.

Loyalty Bonuses 

Several brands likely to launch New York online casinos offer loyalty programs through which your regular play is rewarded. The range of benefits varies massively depending how high you rise through the tiers of a loyalty scheme. These programs are worth researching, but it is never advisable to wager more than you can afford simply to earn extra loyalty points.

New York Mobile Casino Apps

In states with legal online casinos, huge numbers of visitors prefer to play through an online casino app. When available in New York, operators will work hard to present the best possible experience of slots and table games through their New York casino apps, with the top brands available at both major app stores.

Some online gambling companies offer their casino games through the same app as their mobile sports betting platform. Others offer specialized apps dedicated purely to slots.

When you have decided which online casino to patronize, simply search your app store and download the app directly to your mobile device.

New York Online Casino Banking Options

There should be plenty of payment options available if and when NY online casinos become legal. You should feel a sense of security when playing online casino sites that are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission. The banking methods should include:

Credit/Debit Cards

Most casinos online in NY will accept credit or debit cards as a way of making deposits. However, some brands won't let you withdraw funds to the same card so make sure to check out the payout methods before signing up for an online casino account. 

Venmo

You'll be happy to know that Venmo is becoming more widely accepted across different online casino sites. So if you carry a balance on Venmo, you can use this balance to fund your online casino account. 

e-Wallets

e-Wallets including PayPal, Skrill and Neteller have made their way to online casino payment options. These user-friendly wallets are easy to move money around, including funding your online casino account. Note that e-Wallets are particularly quick in terms of withdrawing funds. 

PayNearMe

An interesting payment option for online gambling sites, you fund your account through a retail location by taking cash to stores like CVS Pharmacy, Family Dollar or 7-Eleven. You'll then hand money over to receive a barcode that will transfer money into your account. You won't be able to withdraw funds with this method, though. 

Prepaid Cards

The best New York online casinos will certainly use this payment option. You can load up branded prepaid Play+ cards with cash before transferring money to your online casino account. You can also withdraw money with this option. 

ACH/Bank Transfer

This is one of the simpler methods of transferring money to and from your online gambling account. An ACH or bank transfer will connect your bank account to the online sportsbook or casino operator and transfer money between the two. 

Software at NY Online Casinos

The quality of your user experience when playing online casino games depends to a large extent on the software used to power them. Many New York online casino operators will have their own proprietary software, while others will use respected providers.

When it comes to the games themselves, look out for respected providers such as Microgaming, Playtech and NetEnt. As for live dealer games, those delivered by Evolution Gaming set the gold standard.

New York Casinos

There are plenty of New York casinos to choose from, and there are several types of casinos in the Empire State. 

• Commercial casinos, or as we've called them, "full-fledged" casinos, include slot machines, table games, poker and more. And four are located in the state. More are expected to come in the New York City area, and these will be some of the biggest casinos in NY. 
• Racinos are essentially slots at racetracks. These facilities collectively operate more than 17,000 slots (video lottery terminals) across the state. 
• Tribal New York casinos popped up after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed and include Turning Stone Casino Resort, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, Seneca Niagara Casino and more. 

All Commercial Casinos in NY

All Racinos in NY

All Tribal Casinos in NY

Are There Casinos in New York?

Yes, there are casinos in New York. These casinos are located across the Empire State, ranging from New York City to Buffalo. And these casinos range from full-fledged commercial casinos offering slot machines and table games to slots-only casinos at racetracks and tribal casinos. 

Three new casinos in New York could also make their way to the New York City metro area over the next few years. The process is ongoing but these casinos are expected to be massive resorts once they open.

What is the Largest Casino in New York?

The largest casino in New York is Resorts World New York City in Queens with a gaming floor at over 175,000 square feet. In total, the casino is more than 1 million square feet of entertainment space across multiple levels. 

Do New York Casinos Have Hotels?

Yes, New York casinos have hotels in addition to slot machines, table game, card games, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. You'll find anywhere from 100 to 600 hotel rooms at these NY casinos. 

What Casinos are in New York City?

There are two casinos in New York City - Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens. Note that these are racinos, meaning they only offer slots, but these two host 10,000 slots combined. 

As noted above, legislation has passed to allow for three downstate NY casinos, likely located in the New York City area. Two of these casino licenses are expected to Empire City and Resorts World NYC, which would transform the two into commercial casinos with table games, poker and more. The third license is hotly contested between the big guns in the gaming industry including Bally's Corp, Caesars Entertainment with Roc Nation, Hard Rock, Las Vegas Sands, The Soloviev Group with Mohegan Gaming, Thor Equities with Saratoga Casino Holdings and Wynn Resorts.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Enter A Casino in New York?

The age requirement to enter a casino in New York is 18 years old, though that will just get you into the door. If you want to gamble at a NY casino, you'll have to be at least 21 years old. This falls in line with the age requirement for other forms of gambling in the Empire State. 

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in New York?

So, what exactly can you legally gamble on in New York? There's actually plenty of legal gambling options in NY, here's what you can expect to play.

Casinos in New York

New York currently has 29 casinos, comprised of 4 "full-fledged" gambling facilities; 10 racinos, or slots at racetracks; and 15 tribal casinos. These casinos range from tiny facilities offering just over 500 video slots to large-scale operations with nearly 5,000 slots. 

The "full-fledged" casinos offer casino games expected to be found at any typical casino - slot machines, table games, card games, poker games, bingo, etc. 

It's important to note that there is a licensing process is underway for 3 commercial casino resorts in the New York City area. This is a hotly contested process that is expected to bring one of the largest casinos to not only the state, but also the east coast. 

Sports Betting in New York

Sports betting arrived as the most recent legalized form of online gambling in New York, having gone live in 2022. New York boasts itself as the largest sports betting state in terms of handle and revenue generated despite only 9 online sportsbooks and 4 retail betting facilities being live in the state. 

Horse Racing in New York

New York is home to the strongest thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing and breeding programs in the US. It currently hosts 11 racetracks primarily located in or near New York City to Buffalo. The most famous horse race that takes place in New York is the Belmont Stakes, or the third leg of the Kentucky Derby, taking place at Belmont Park east of New York City. 

Lottery in New York

New York has the largest lottery in the US in terms of lottery sales, and it's easy to see why. You'll find 10 draw-based lottery games and hundreds of instant win or "scratchers" available in the Empire State. New York even offers several state-exclusive draw games like New York Lotto, Numbers, Pick 10, Take 5, Win 4, Quick Draw and Money Dots. 

Poker in New York

Poker in New York is based in the state's 4 "full-fledged" casinos. Each of these locations have a poker room with dozens of poker tables. So if you're a fan of the game, make sure to head over and try your hand at a poker table!

Daily Fantasy Sports in New York

New York daily fantasy sports are a legal gambling option following a March 2022 ruling that deemed DFS constitutional in the state. This popular form of online gambling includes many easily recognizeable names in the industry, such as DraftKings and FanDuel. 

Charitable Gaming in New York

New York allows various forms of charitable gaming across bingo, raffles, bell jar and casino nights. Organizations wishing to partake in charitable gaming in NY do not have to register with the New York State Gaming Commission if they anticipate net proceeds of less than $5,000. 

Offshore vs Legal Online Casinos in NY

You may come across brands claiming to run a New York casino already – even before legal online casinos launch in the state. These are offshore online casinos that are operating without a license. We at NYCasinos.com strongly recommend that you do not use these sites. You should wait until the state decides to legalize online casinos and steer clear of offshore casinos for the following reasons:

• ❌ You cannot be sure the games there are being run fairly
• ❌ Some offshore casinos are notorious for their misleading marketing materials
• ❌ Customer security levels are likely to be lower than they will be at a legal New York casino
• ❌ Standards of customer support will almost certainly fall short of what you should expect
• ❌ In the event of a dispute, you have no legal recourse and will probably lose your money