New York Online Gambling Status

Are Online Casinos Legal in New York?

Currently, the online gambling NY scene caters to sports bettors only. The latest push to make New York online casinos legal ran out of steam in March 2023. That’s when both chambers of the state legislature published their budget proposals for the year – and neither mentioned online casino gaming.

Nevertheless, the desire to bring legal casino sites to New York remains strong. Online gambling operators are very keen, while state lawmakers will surely be tempted by the lucrative tax benefits that will accrue when the time comes. So for online gambling, NY players can anticipate legalization in the near future.

Where Online Casinos Stand Now

New York Online Casino Legislative Timeline

🍎 Early 2024 – Earliest date when online NY casinos might launch

🍎 February 15, 2023 - Sen. Joe Addabbo filed another bill to legalize online casinos. Bill S4856 was not included in the state budget and will not pass this year.

🍎February 2022 - Sen. Joe Addabbo filed bill S8412 in the NY Senate. The bill would legalize online casinos

🍎 January 2022 – Online sports betting launched at Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings and BetRivers

🍎 August 2021 – The NY State Gaming Commission opened for license applications.

🍎 April 2021 – Gov. Cuomo approved a state budget that included mobile sports betting.

🍎 2019 – Rivers Casino Resort in Schenectady accepted the first legal sports bet in NY State

🍎 2018 – The Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act infringed the 10th amendment paving the way for legal sports betting

🍎 2013 – New Yorker ballot measure was approved to allow up to five new retail casinos in the state

Online Casinos We Expect to See in New York

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.

The most recent legalization bill envisaged the existing nine sports betting operators being allowed to add an online casino to their platform. However, it is likely that more online sportsbooks will be added to the roster in the state soon. As a result, our list includes some prominent names in the online casino world that could be granted a New York license when the time arrives.

BetMGM Casino

• 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.

BetMGM Casino Home Page

While we wait for New York to legalize online casinos you can still get action with sports betting. BetMGM NY is one of the best online sportsbooks in the state. Claim a great welcome bonus now! 

BetRivers Casino

• 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.

BetRivers Casino Home Page

While we wait for New York to legalize online casinos you can still get action with sports betting. BetRivers NY offers one of easiest welcome packages for new bettors. Claim a great welcome bonus now! 

Caesars Palace Online Casino

• Biggest Takeaway Caesars 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.

Caesars Palace Online Casino Home Page

While we wait for New York to legalize online casinos you can still get action with sports betting. Caesars Sportsbook New York offers one of the best VIP rewards programs in the US. Claim a great sportsbook welcome bonus now! 

FanDuel Casino

• 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.

FanDuel Casino Home Page

Still waiting for casino regulation? Never mind, take the opportunity to look at the great welcome promotion the sports betting market leader FanDuel offers. Claim a great welcome bonus now! 

Golden Nugget Casino

• Biggest Takeaway The Golden Nugget is another famous name in retail casino thanks to its presence in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. It brings a fabulous range of games to its players in New Jersey and Michigan. Its online presence is now part of the DraftKings empire.

Golden Nugget Casino Home Page

If you don't want to take a trip out of state to play at the Golden Nugget, you will just have to wait till it comes to New York. If you want some legal New York betting action you can sign up with a NY sportsbook and you can claim a great welcome bonus.

Bet365 Casino

• Biggest Takeaway Bet365 arrived on the North American online gambling scene with a colossal reputation thanks to its pre-eminence in sports betting in Europe and elsewhere. It’s renowned for the volume of options it offers customers and its great all-round performance.

Bet365 Casino Home Page

The good news is that bet365 is already live in New York. The bad news is that it's sports betting only. If you're frustrated at waiting for legal online casino, you could always open an account at bet365 NY and place some futures bets on the NY Giants. bet365 has a great welcome bonus waiting for you.

How We Rate Online Casinos in NY

When we review and rate online casino operators, there are several key factors to take into account. 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 slots, 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.

Find High Payouts at Online Casinos

Every online gambler knows the old cliché that the house always wins – but it’s more pleasant if that outcome takes a long time to arrive. There are certain table games, such as blackjack, where the return to player (RTP) percentage is incredibly high. We’ll also try to highlight the online slot machines that offer an above-average RTP of more than 96%, so you should enjoy a longer playing time per dollar while using them.

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.

Popular Online Casino Games

When you walk through the doors of brick and mortar casinos, your senses should be assaulted by a range of sights and sounds. You should get the same buzz when you enter an online casino. Before your eyes, there are a host of ways in which you can enjoy online casino gambling. It can take a short while for the sheer variety of opportunities at your fingertips to sink in – but the types of games available should include the following.

🎰 Slots 

At virtually all leading online casinos in New York, the overwhelming majority of games will be online slots. Take some time to work out which games you enjoy most; some operators enable you to play for free to get used to a title. You may be interested in megaways games, or progressive jackpots. However you like to play, you will have hundreds, and possibly thousands, of titles to choose from.

🃏 Blackjack

Of all the table games available at tribal and commercial casinos in New York, none is more popular than blackjack. It is at once a card game of sheer simplicity and baffling complexity – and that duality makes it hugely enjoyable. Check out the table games section at your online casino and you might find dozens of video blackjack titles covering every possible variation on the traditional theme of the game.

🎥 Video Online Poker 

The word poker is used to describe a wide range of card games. So it is no surprise that the best online casinos offer a rich variety of video poker games. From stud games to hold’em titles and many more, game developers have created some fantastic ways to play online poker, and you should find a healthy selection at any good New York online casino.

🤵 Roulette 

Roulette is another example of the traditional table games without which no physical casino, or its online equivalent, would be complete. Check out the table games section at a good online casino and you should find a host of roulette titles. There are numerous variations on the theme of a white ball circling a wheel; the efforts of the best game developers and their online casino partners ensure a superb choice for players.

🎲 Other Online Casino Games 

As well as the standard table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, the top online casinos in New York will have other casino games to play too. Look out for offerings such as Sic Bo and craps, as well as titles based on TV game shows or major sports events. It really is worth taking the time to explore all areas of your new online casino – you may be surprised by what you find.

Live Dealer Games

One offering that will add variety and excitement to online casinos in New York is live dealer games. Many visitors to online gambling sites like to get a taste of the live casino experience by playing games operated by an actual dealer. At the best online casinos, you can find dozens of options for enjoying your favorite game in the company of a real person and several fellow players.

Modern Live Dealer Games

• Blackjack Blackjack lends itself perfectly to the world of the live dealer. You place your bets as normal, but the cards are dealt by a real person stationed in a live studio. The cards will probably be larger than the decks you find in a real casino to make it easier to see the state of the game.
• Roulette Roulette played by a live dealer really brings the online casino experience to life. You can watch an actual ball tour a real wheel, which for many people is a far more satisfying experience than a video version. There are numerous variations of the game to be found in the live dealer section of an online casino.
• Baccarat Many fans of baccarat prefer to wager on a game conducted by a live dealer. Baccarat is one of the traditional table games that should be well represented in the section of the casino dedicated to live dealer options.
• Other As well as traditional table games, you may find other live dealer options at leading online casinos in New York. These can include craps, Sic Bo, and a host of wheel-of-fortune type games with an actual wheel in the studio. Have a good look around the live dealer section to find a game that suits you and your gambling style.

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.

App Store Ratings for BetMGM App

📲 iOS rating - 4.7

📲 Android rating - 4.2

App Store Ratings for Caesars Slots App

📲 iOS rating - 4.6

📲 Android rating - 4.5

App Store Ratings for Bet365 App

📲 iOS rating - 3.8

📲 Android rating - 3.6

Banking Options for New York Gambling Sites

When New York online casinos launch, there should be several ways in which you can deposit money in your account – and withdraw it too. Most NY online casinos will allow you to pay money in using debit or credit cards, online banking, e-checks, and a range of e-wallets. But it’s essential that you check your chosen online casino to be sure you can deposit in a way that suits you.

It’s arguably even more important that you research the withdrawal options. The options here may be fewer than those for depositing, so be sure you will be able to take your money out after a good win.

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods 

• Credit card: You can use your card to deposit money directly into your casino account, but your card issuer may charge additional fees
• Debit card: Deposit money directly, but always check with your bank; some do not process transactions for the purpose of online gaming.
• PayPal: You can send money through immediately, but make sure the details on your PayPal account and casino account match.
• Bank transfer: Services such as PayWithMyBank enable you to fund your casino account directly from your personal account.
• e-check: Some operators prefer you use the VIP Preferred ACH/e-check to fund your account. Provide your ID number, routing number, and your account number - and your money is moved directly into your casino account

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.

Commercial Casinos in New York

The Empire State is home to a couple of dozen brick and mortar casinos where you can enjoy playing your favorite games. Roughly half are tribal casinos, while there are a handful of commercial casinos and several racinos that combine casino play with horse racing action.

New York sports betting fans can find retail sportsbooks at roughly half of these retail casinos, with most of those facilities located upstate.

The total number of current casinos in New York by category is as follows:

• Tribal casinos: 12
• Racinos: 8
• Commercial casinos: 5

Given the persistent efforts to pass an online casino bill and legalize online gaming, the future could be uncertain for the current retail New York casinos. They will have noted other states’ online casino success stories and wondered if the same might happen in the Empire State.

In the circumstances, it will be fascinating to see if the tribal and commercial casinos decide that “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” and launch their own online casinos if permitted.

The legislation launched in 2023 envisaged licenses being issued to the nine current sports betting operators to each open an online casino in New York. The next attempt may look very different.

Given the high level of sophistication of many of the brands likely to launch here, it might make more sense for most retail casino operators to work in partnership with an established operator to create an online casino in New York.   

What Online Gambling is Legal in NY?

Hopefully it won't be a long wait before we see legal online casinos in NY. Meanwhile there are still plenty of ways to get some action going:

New York's licensed online sports betting sites offer some pretty substantial welcome bonuses. Marketing money is on the table, so you might as well take your fair share!

Offshore vs Legal Online Casino Gaming?

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 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