New York Online Gambling
No matter if you’re a seasoned sports bettor, a slot machine player, or a Daily Fantasy Sports fan, New York boasts a diverse range of gambling options to suit everyone. Although online casinos and poker sites are not yet legal in the Empire State, the introduction of regulated online sportsbooks in 2022 has expanded the gambling landscape. Now, New York has retail and online sports betting, land-based casinos, a state lottery, DFS, horse racing, and more.
So, keep reading this in-depth New York online gambling guide for all the information you need, including the latest updates and the best sites.
Best New York Gambling Site
Since launching its online sports betting market in January 2022, nine sportsbook apps have opened up shop in the Empire State. We’re talking leading names in the US online gambling space like BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, and more. These sites offer competitive odds on plenty of exciting markets, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and more.
Furthermore, even though real-money online casinos are not yet permitted within NY’s borders, players can still spin the reels and play classic table games at sweepstakes casinos online. Instead of playing for cash, you’re playing for Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. But with so many sites to choose from, which is best?
That’s where our experts come in. We’ve scoured the Empire State’s online gambling market to bring you the best online gambling sites currently available in NY:
Is online gambling legal in New York?
Not every type of gambling has been given the green light in New York. Sports fans are in luck, as Empire State bettors can wager on their favorite markets in person at land-based sportsbooks and online. The state is home to nine sports betting sites, including several well-known companies like BetMGM and FanDuel.
However, online casino players are not so lucky. Currently, online casinos are not yet legal in New York. That means to spin the reels of slots online, you’ll need to visit a sweepstakes or social casino site. To ensure the safety of all players, all regulations are strictly enforced. The New York State Gaming Commission oversees all aspects of the gambling industry, both online and in-person, including horse racing, charitable gaming, and the lottery.
New York State Gambling History
Gambling has a long and rich history in New York, dating back hundreds of years. While gambling remained illegal at the turn of the 20th century, it was still pretty common within the state. Its popularity has remained steady up until today, with various forms of land-based and online gambling now legal and operational. Let’s take a closer look at the history of gambling within the Empire State.
- 1967: The New York lottery launches.
- 1970: Off-track betting is legalized in New York.
- 1988: The Multi-State Lottery Association—the forerunner of PowerBall—is formed. Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, permitting casinos on Native American territory.
- 2001: New York legalizes several Indian casinos and permits video lottery terminals at several racetracks, turning them into “racinos.”
- 2002: New York begins selling its first multi-state lottery tickets, renamed Mega Millions.
- 2013: Sports betting was legalized at the state level in New York as voters approved the New York Casino Gambling Amendment, Proposal 1, on November 5, 2013.
- 2018: The US Supreme Court overturned PASPA on May 14, 2018, ending the federal ban on sports betting. With the 2013 state-level law already in place, New York was able to start working on rules and regulations for legal sports betting.
- 2019: The Rivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Schenectady becomes the first retail sportsbook to start accepting wagers in New York on July 16, 2019.
- 2022: Online sports betting launches in New York with four sportsbooks: Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Rush Street Interactive, which were the first to get approval.
Legal Gambling Options in New York
To help you navigate the laws and regulations of New York, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide explaining what types of gambling are legal in the table below.
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 2013 |
| Online Poker | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 2013 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 2013 (and then launched in 2022) |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 2013 (and then launched in 2019) |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 2016 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1887 |
| Lottery | Yes | 1967 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | N/A |
Sports Betting
Both retail and online sports betting is legal in the Empire State. While New York initially legalized sports wagering in four of its commercial casinos back in 2013, the first in-person sportsbooks started opening their doors in July 2019, over a year after the abolishment of PASPA.
Then, state-wide mobile sports betting was legalized in April 2021, with the final amendments and rules adopted in November that same year. Mobile betting officially became available in New York on January 8, 2022. The passing of these sports betting bills permitted nine licenses to top sportsbook operators like BetMGM, BetRivers, FanDuel, PointsBet, WynnBET, Bally Bet, DraftKings, Caesars, and Resorts WorldBet.
Online Casino
It is important to note that online casinos in New York state are still illegal, and there are no clear plans for this to change anytime soon. However, there is still hope for casino enthusiasts in the state since sweepstakes and social casinos are available for play.
Poker
Although online poker is currently illegal in New York, poker has been a legal table game at racinos in the state since 2004 and at land-based casinos since it became legal in 2013. New York is home to five traditional Native American casinos (Class III), where residents can enjoy various poker variations such as 3 and 4-card poker, Caribbean stud poker, and pai gow.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) has proven popular with Empire State bettors. Since the legalization of DFS in 2016, it’s estimated that New York has over 90,000 active DFS players. In October 2023, New York updated its DFS laws and passed an explicit ban on pick ’em daily fantasy sports contests. This means that New York sports betting regulators have agreed to prohibit fantasy sports games that mirror player prop bets offered by sportsbooks. Still, DFS remains popular within the state.
Lottery
The history of the New York Lottery dates back to 1967, when a state-wide referendum established it. The aim was to generate funds for education, and the New York Lottery began the following year. The first drawing occurred on November 8, 1967, and “The Pot of Gold” was introduced as the first game.
In 1971, instant games were introduced, and the New York Lotto was launched in 1981. The state joined the Mega Millions in 2002 and added Powerball in 2013, which was highly anticipated by lottery enthusiasts.
Over the years, the New York Lottery has evolved with the introduction of new games and expanded through online platforms. It has contributed significantly to education funding in the state. New York also had the largest lottery sales in the US in 2022, generating around 10 billion US dollars, which speaks volumes about its popularity even today.
Retail Sportsbooks
It’s worth noting that retail sportsbooks were legalized in New York State three years before mobile sportsbooks. Currently, 11 retail sportsbooks operate in the state, including the popular Caesars Sportsbook at Point Palace Casino, DraftKings Sportsbook at Del Lago Resort Casino, and FanDuel Sportsbook at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. Yankees and Mets fans can also access betting kiosks at Yankees Stadium and Citi Field.
Land-Based Casinos
Online casinos are not yet legal in New York, but brick-and-mortar casinos see lots of visitors, revenue, and success in the Empire State. New York boasts 12 land-based casinos and racinos that are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission, alongside an additional 15 tribal casinos. There are two classes of casinos in New York State. These are Class II and Class III, the latter being able to carry true casino-style games for cash, like slots, roulette, blackjack, and more.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos function similarly to real-money online casinos but offer free-to-play versions of popular slot games from well-known providers. Instead of wagering with your actual cash, you use a virtual currency, which you can pick up from regular promotions or purchase in bundles. Yet, you won’t need to ever part with any cash to enjoy your favorite online games. Sweeps sites are a great and legal alternative to real-money online casinos.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in New York?
All gambling and online betting sites in the Empire State are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) to ensure their safety and fairness. All licensed and legal operators are displayed on a list on the NYSGC’s website, so you can always make sure you’re playing at a legal site. Plus, you can spot the NYSGC’s logo at the bottom of any regulated NY gambling operator, which is a sure sign of a safe site.
Responsible Gambling in New York
Gambling online can be a thrilling experience, but it’s essential to prioritize your safety while having fun. If you feel like you might be struggling to control your spending and wagering habits, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
The New York Council on Problem Gambling published in 2020 that 3.8% of New Yorkers are at-risk gamblers, with 0.7% of New Yorkers being problem (0.3%) or pathological (0.4%) gamblers. So you aren’t alone, and there are dedicated support services available to you with no judgment.
In New York, you can count on excellent helplines like NYS OASAS HOPELINE at 1-877-846-7369, which provides 100% judgment-free support. In addition, New York offers self-exclusion programs, as well as BetBlocker, a fantastic free online program that blocks access to hundreds of betting sites.
If you need further guidance, New York State has plenty of residential treatment centers ready to support you on your journey toward a healthy and happy life. Remember, you don’t have to face these challenges alone; there is always help available.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in New York?
Several types of online gambling are legal in New York, including online sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). The only types of online gambling that are not yet legal in New York are online casinos and online poker. New York also has its own lottery, alongside many land-based casinos and sportsbooks.
Can I bet on sports in New York?
Of course you can! New York passed a retail sports betting bill back in 2013, with the Empire State’s first legal sportsbooks launching in 2019. Online sports betting launched in New York in January 2022, and nine online sportsbooks are currently live in the state.
Does New York have any online casinos?
No, New York does not have any real-money online casinos. However, NY casino players can legally access sweepstakes and social casinos within the Empire State’s borders. Also, neighboring New Jersey has legalized online casinos, meaning you can cross state lines to play real-money casino games legally.
Is DFS legal in New York?
Absolutely! New York passed a fantasy sports law in 2016, legalizing DFS across the state. However, in October 2023, a regulation was passed banning pick-em-daily fantasy sports contests.
Are New York online gambling sites safe?
Yes, all New York sportsbooks are subject to testing and must follow strict guidelines laid out by the New York State Gaming Commission. Therefore, you can feel at ease when placing online sports bets.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in New York State?
Your gambling winnings are subject to a federal tax of 24% under New York state law, regardless of where they were earned. This includes wagers placed at casinos, sportsbooks, race tracks, and online gambling sites, as well as winnings from slot machines and the state lottery.
