Online Gambling Laws of New York
The State of New York became the 11th state to be admitted to the union on July 26, 1788. As one of the 13 original colonies, the state has a rich history. Over the past 200+ years, New York has seen explosive growth in various sectors, especially the financial sector.
New York has over 19.5 million residents as of 2018 estimates which makes it the fourth-most populous state in the nation. New York City, affectionately known as the Big Apple, accounts for more than 40 percent of the state’s population and also checks in as the largest city in the country in terms of residents.
New York is just the 27th largest state in terms of the area despite being home to a massive amount of people. One of the most striking things about the state is the diversity of its regions. For example, there’s the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as the more peaceful and serene surroundings of the Upstate region.
Thanks to Wall Street, New York City is often referred to as the financial capital of the world. Other big industries in the state include media, tourism, and agriculture.
We’ll get to the good stuff on betting shortly, but let’s start by taking a look at the answers to two of the most popular questions surrounding gambling in the state.
Is It Legal to Bet on Sports Online in New York?
Not yet, the matter is still being discussed by the state legislature and the New York State Gaming Commission. Earlier in 2019, sports betting was approved for several of the states Upstate and Native American casinos.
For now, sports betting in New York will only be allowed in-person at those locations. However, there is optimism that the state will move towards allowing it online in the future as well.
State legislators seem to be in favor, but there continue to be concerns that Governor Andrew Cuomo will block any attempts to officially legalize online betting.How About Poker and Casino Games?
This one is cut and dry. It’s illegal to play online casino games in New York State. There are no legal operators located in the state. The same applies to online poker.
While there has at least been some clarity on online sports betting in recent times, it’s unclear if the state will mend its ways on online casino or poker anytime soon.
New York Gambling History
New York has a rich history when it comes to gambling, but much of that has been done with a wink and a nod. Traditionally, the state has been quite restrictive when it comes to games of chance.
All forms of gambling were banned in the state way back in 1894. There would gradually be some softening in the decades that followed. For example, pari-mutuel wagering was legalized in 1939.
The New York State Lottery was formed in the 1960’s, and Native American casinos began opening their doors in the 1990’s. A number of commercial casinos have followed.
Fast forward to 2019, and the state has addressed the legality of sports betting in the state.
New York Sports Betting
The New York Gaming Commission unanimously approved limited sports betting in the state. In-person betting was approved for four casinos in the Upstate region as well as the Native American run establishments on June 10, 2019.
Sportsbook facilities are under construction in several spots with anticipated opening dates in the summer of 2019. The first legal bet was placed at Rivers Casino and Resort on July 16, 2019.
There has also been a push to legalize online betting in the state. Bills have been drafted and the state legislature appears to be on board, but no timeline has been established for when online betting will be allowed.
Sports betting in New York will only be taking place at approved brick-and mortar casinos: Del Lago Resort and Casino, Tioga Downs, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino and Resort, as well as select Native American properties.
New York Online Gambling
Online gambling is illegal in New York. There are efforts underway to legalize mobile sports betting, but disagreements between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature stand in the way.
For online casino and poker games, the matter is crystal clear. It’s currently illegal to partake in these activities in New York. There are no signs on when that may change.
Types of Gambling Available in New York
| Type of Gambling | Legalized? | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Casino Gambling | ✅ Yes | Available at the state’s casinos |
| Live Poker | ✅ Yes | Available at the state’s casinos |
| Live Sports Betting | ✅ Yes | Available at select casinos |
| Lottery Gaming | ✅ Yes | Legalized in 1966 |
| Bingo Gaming | ❌ No | Charitable organizations are allowed to offer |
| Online Casino | ❌ No | Illegal in New York |
| Online Poker | ❌ No | Illegal in New York |
| Online Sports Betting | ❌ No | In discussion stages |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ Yes | Legal to play in NY |
New York Land-Based and Online Casino Operators
| Operator | Online Gaming? | iPhone App | Android App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Lago Resort and Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Tioga Downs | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Resorts World Catskills | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Rivers Casino and Resort | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Akwesasne Mohawk Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Batavia Downs Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| The Fairgrounds Gaming | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Jake's 58 Hotel & Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Lakeside Entertainment | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Mohawk Bingo Palace and Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Monticello Gaming & Raceway | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Point Place Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Resorts World New York City | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Saratoga Casino and Raceway | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Allegany Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Irving | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Oil Spring | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Salamanca | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Seneca Niagara Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Turning Stone Resort & Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Vernon Downs & Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Yellow Brick Road Casino | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
New York Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
It is legal to play Daily Fantasy Sports in New York but there have been some bumps in the road. In the early days of DFS, everything was going along swimmingly. Then 2015 happened.
DraftKings and FanDuel, the two largest operators, completely flooded the airwaves with ads touting DFS. This brought increased interest to the industry, but also a whole lot of scrutiny. All hell broke loose after a scandal erupted involving allegations of insider trading by DFS company employees.
NY Attorney General Eric Schniederman pounced, and that resulted in a legal nightmare for the two DFS giants. The matter was in and out of court for quite a while, and play was temporarily halted in the state.
It was looking like a touch and go situation for DraftKings and FanDuel, but the legislation was approved by the state Senate in June of 2016 which legalized DFS in NY.
The two giants offer DFS to NY residents, and both companies have expanded into sports betting to boot.
New York Gambling Timeline
1821
1894
1939
1957
1966
1973
1993
2011
2013
2016
2019
New York Online Gambling and Sports Betting FAQ
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as legal advice or instructions. The information you read here is my interpretation of the laws as made available online. We recommend that you seek legal advice from a licensed attorney for further or official guidance.