Complete Guide to Casinos in New York

Social casinos have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional online real-money casinos in New York. These casinos, also called sweepstakes casinos, offer players an engaging gaming experience without the financial risks associated with conventional gambling.

• Legal and Accessible: In a regulatory environment where real-money online casinos face stringent regulations, social casinos provide a legal and easily accessible gaming option for residents of New York. 
• Free-to-Play Model: A defining feature of sweepstakes casinos is their free-to-play model. Players can participate in a wide range of casino games using virtual currency, eliminating the need for real-money deposits. 
• Variety of Games: Sweepstakes casinos in New York offer a diverse selection of games from top-tier providers. Whether players prefer classic slots, table games like blackjack and roulette, poker, or specialty games, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 
• Opportunity to Win Prizes: Despite the absence of real-money wagering, sweepstakes casinos offer players the chance to win prizes. Players can accumulate virtual currency through gameplay, participate in contests, and redeem rewards for real-world prizes such as cash, gift cards, and merchandise. 

Our Top Recommended Sweepstakes Casinos in NY

Below are our top picks for social casinos in New York, renowned for their exceptional features and offerings:

High 5 Casino New York

High 5 Casino stands out with its diverse selection of innovative games, providing players in New York with a thrilling gaming experience. Its commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment ensures that players can enjoy a wide variety of slots, poker, and other popular casino games.

• Innovative Game Selection
• Top-Tier Entertainment
• Regular Updates

Pulsz Casino New York

Pulsz Casino captivates players in New York with its sleek design and user-friendly interface, making it easy to dive into a world of exciting casino games. Its emphasis on providing a seamless gaming experience ensures that players can enjoy their favorite games without any hassle.

• User-Friendly Interface
• Variety of Games
• Responsive Customer Support

Fortune Coins Casino New York

Fortune Coins Casino entices players in New York with its visually stunning design and generous new player offer, providing an thrilling gaming experience from the start. Its diverse game selection ensures that players can explore various options and find their favorites without any initial financial commitment.

• Visually Stunning Design
• Generous New Player Offer
• Diverse Game Selection

McLuck Casino New York

McLuck Casino offers a captivating gaming experience with its innovative approach and engaging gameplay. With a diverse selection of slots and table games, McLuck Casino ensures that players in New York have access to a wide range of entertainment options.

• Innovative Approach
• Social Live Casino
• Excellent Customer Service

LuckyLand Slots Casino New York

LuckyLand Slots Casino stands out for its impressive collection of exclusive slots, offering players in New York a wide range of unique themes and gameplay experiences to enjoy. The casino's focus on exclusivity adds to its allure, providing players with access to content not available elsewhere.

• Exclusive Slot Collection
• Wide Range of Themes
• Immersive Gameplay

WOW Vegas Casino New York

WOW Vegas Casino distinguishes itself with its extensive gaming library, featuring over 300 slots and a plethora of popular casino games. Its user-friendly design prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, ensuring that players in New York can navigate the platform effortlessly and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.

• Vast Gaming Library
• User-Friendly Design
• Quality Gaming Experience

Chumba Casino New York

Chumba Casino has earned a well-deserved reputation in the realm of sweepstakes gaming, prioritizing safety, legitimacy, and player security above all else. This sweepstakes casino offers a secure and entertaining website and app for online gambling enthusiasts in New York.

• Safety and Legitimacy
• Entertainment Focused
• Sweepstakes Prizes

Stake.us Casino New York

Stake.us Casino has become a preferred destination for players in New York, offering a diverse selection of slots and table games. Its inclusion of exclusive Stake Originals titles adds a unique touch to the gaming experience, ensuring players encounter engaging content that sets the casino apart.

• Exclusive Stake Originals
• Diverse Game Selection
• Engaging Gameplay

Hard Rock Social Casino New York

Hard Rock Social Casino brings the esteemed Hard Rock brand into the online gaming sphere, offering players in New York a thrilling gaming experience. With its Rewards Center facilitating merchandise purchases and a daily lucky wheel spin adding an element of excitement, Hard Rock Social Casino exceeds expectations to elevate the gaming experience for players.

• Iconic Brand
• Rewarding Features
• Enhanced Gaming Experience

MyJackPot.com New York

Developed by Whow, MyJackPot.com offers players in New York a captivating social casino experience that keeps them enthralled. As a sweepstakes casino, authenticity is at the forefront of MyJackPot's mission, delivering a genuine online casino experience characterized by realistic gameplay, immersive graphics, and engaging sound effects.

• Authentic Casino Experience
• Captivating Gameplay
• Immersive Sound Effects

No, online casinos are not legal in New York. However, players have the option to partake in slots and table games via social or sweepstakes casinos instead. There are also a dozen of land-based casinos legally available in the state.

The gambling laws in New York lack clarity and predominantly target casinos attempting to operate online. Consequently, there are currently no penalties for individuals engaging in online gambling activities. While online casinos are legal in neighboring New Jersey, residents of New York remain restricted from accessing these sites unless physically present within New Jersey's borders.

Brief History of Casinos and Gambling in New York

Below is a summary of key milestones marking the evolution of gambling in New York:

Constitutional Ban

New York, renowned as a pioneering gambling hub in the United States, has a complex history marked by periods of prohibition and subsequent legalization. Despite being the first state to constitutionally ban gambling in 1821, clandestine casinos operated during the prohibition era, notably under the influence of organized crime.

Expansion of Gambling Options

Legalized gambling resurfaced with horse racing, adopting pari-mutuel systems, and evolving into racinos with the advent of simulcast technology. Subsequent legalizations included bingo games in 1957, a lottery in 1966, and charity gaming in 1970, laying the groundwork for a gradual expansion of gambling options.

Commercial Casinos

The introduction of 'class 3' games on tribal lands enabled the proliferation of casinos by Native American tribes, offering a diverse selection of poker and casino rooms. This expansion continued with the passage of a law promoting economic development in the upstate area in 2013, leading to the establishment of commercial casinos.

Yes, online sports betting is legal in New York. In January 2022, online sports betting was officially legalized for residents of New York. 

In 2013, New York enacted legislation legalizing sports gambling at the state level, yet it wasn't until July 2019 that the state opened its inaugural official sportsbook. Online sports betting debuted on January 8, 2022.

Today, NY residents have a broad spectrum of online sportsbooks to choose from. The most prominent ones are:

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook ensures New Yorkers receive ample offerings of promos, odds boosts, and live sports access. In addition to its established online sportsbook, Caesars extends its reach with retail sportsbooks located at Yellow Brick Road Casino, Turning Stone Resort Casino, and Point Place Casino.

DraftKings Sportsbook 

In January 2022, DraftKings Sportsbook made its official debut in New York with the launch of its website and mobile app. Renowned for its extensive array of diverse betting markets, DraftKings offers a comprehensive online sportsbook.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM, renowned as a leading operator in the New York sports betting landscape, commenced operations in January 2022. This launch marked a significant milestone as New York became the 15th state where BetMGM holds an online betting license. Today, BetMGM is available in 20+ states.

Land-Based Sportsbooks in New York

There are also plenty of onsite options in New York. The below list summarizes the brick-and-mortar casinos and sportsbooks in New York, where you can try sports betting in person. This means you physically have to be in the NY casino or sportsbook in order to place your bets.

• Del Lago Resort Casino, Waterloo NY, online partner with DraftKings
• Tioga Downs, Nichols NY, online partner with PointsBet
• River Casino and Resort, Schenectady NY, online partner with Kambi (RushStreet/BetRivers)
• Resorts World Catskills, Monticello NY, online partner with Bet365
• Yellow Brick Road Casino, Chittenango NY
• Point Place Casino, Bridgeport NY
• Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona NY

New York hosts a diverse array of land-based casinos. These casinos are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission and available to both local residents and visitors from around the world. The NY casino scene can be separated into three different categories:

Class III Casinos

Class III casinos in New York are authorized to offer a full range of traditional casino games, including slots, table games like roulette and blackjack, as well as poker rooms. These establishments provide players with the quintessential casino experience, featuring luxurious amenities, upscale dining options, live entertainment, and more.

Racinos

Racinos, a combination of racetracks and casinos, are prevalent in New York and fall under the Class II category. While they primarily focus on horse racing, they also offer electronic gaming machines and other Class II games like bingo. Racinos provide a unique blend of horse racing excitement and casino entertainment.

Tribal Casinos

New York is home to several tribal casinos operated by Native American tribes. These casinos are not regulated by the state and operate under tribal gaming compacts. Similar to Class III casinos, tribal casinos offer a variety of gaming options, including slots, table games, and poker rooms, along with amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and live entertainment venues.

Below are some of the most popular land-based casinos in New York:

Beyond social casinos, land-based casinos, and sports betting, New York State offers a variety of additional gambling options. The various types of gambling that are currently legal in New York include:

Horse Racing: 

• Horse racing has a rich tradition in New York, with several iconic racetracks hosting live racing events throughout the year. Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Aqueduct Racetrack are among the most renowned venues.
• In addition to live racing, off-track betting (OTB) facilities provide convenient locations for individuals to wager on races from around the country.
• Online horse betting has been legal in New York for an extended period. As per regulations outlined by the New York State Gaming Commission, individuals holding legal accounts with horse betting sites in the state can place wagers online.

Lottery: 

• The New York Lottery offers a wide range of games, including draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions, instant scratch-off tickets, and daily number drawings. 
• Online lottery services are legal in New York. Jackpocket holds the distinction of being the first licensed lottery courier service in the state, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. 

Charitable Gaming: 

• Charitable gaming activities, such as bingo, raffles, and casino nights, provide opportunities for nonprofit organizations to raise funds for charitable purposes. 
• These events are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission and must adhere to specific guidelines and licensing requirements to ensure transparency and accountability. 

Online Poker:

• While online poker is not explicitly legalized in New York, it also isn't explicitly criminalized by state law. Despite the absence of specific legislation addressing online poker, it remains illegal to operate online poker sites within the state. 
• New York does offer live poker rooms at tribal and commercial casinos, where players can participate in cash games and tournaments legally.