New York Online Casinos 2024

Curious about the Empire State’s stance about online casinos? As it stands, real-money online casinos are not legal New York. However, there’s good news—legal alternatives like sweepstakes casinos offer plenty of exciting games and rewards.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through NY’s gambling laws, share the latest updates on potential legalization, and highlight the best options for casino fans in the state. You’ll also learn about taxable winnings and tips to stay on the right side of the law. Let’s dive in!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Find out potential upcoming changes to the New York online casino bill.
• Pick among the best NY sweepstakes casinos for 2024.
• Learn about other gambling options in New York.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in New York?

New York currently does not allow regular online casinos with real money to operate. According to information from the NY Gaming Commission, only commercial casinos are permitted in the state.

So, the answer is negative if you’re asking, “Is online casino legal in New York?” That said, there are speculations that the landscape may change soon. Although, some alternatives for online gambling exist, such as sweepstakes casinos.

Reports from Fox News indicate that:

Industry panelists agree that New York, along with Maryland, is likely to legalize real-money gaming sites in the next few years.

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in New York

If you’re looking for a real money online casino in New York, there’s none, unfortunately. Nevertheless, sweepstakes are there to save the day! Here, you can check for legitimate platforms to enjoy your favorite games from NY. On these sites, you play for free with virtual coins (That’s why they’re legal in New York).

For more information about these social casinos’ perks, we have a guide on the best US sweepstakes social casinos you can consult.

After analyzing the many options available, here are the top 5 sweepstakes casinos for New York residents.

Chanced Casino in New York

First on the list is Chanced Casino, a sweepstakes casino with more than 500 games. If you sign up on the website, you get a free welcome package without any purchase: 10,000 Gold Coins, 2 Sweeps Coins, and 20 Free Spins. It’s a commendable deal and one of the best New York online casino bonus offers.

→ At Chanced Casino, I had a lot of fun playing several games. However, my favorite title was Forge of Olympus by Pragmatic Play. I was lucky to hit the max multiplier and win 100x more virtual coins. 

Ding Ding Ding in New York

If you’re particular about a wide game library, Ding Ding Ding Casino is one of the top sweepstakes sites in New York to consider. The platform has a huge gaming library with over 800 titles. However, the diversity is the real deal, as each offered game presents a unique theme and bonus features. Talking about bonuses, you have 100,000 GCs and 2.5 SCs to claim upon registration.

→ The hours I spent playing Ding Ding Ding games were quite enjoyable. That said, I recommend spinning the reels of Empire’s Wealth by Gameart if you sign up. From my experience, the slot has quite a vivid theme, and the free spins bonus game is impressive.   

Fortune Coins in New York

Fortune Coins ranks among the best sweepstakes casinos thanks to its massive welcome promo. How massive? Well, the casino rewards new players with 630,000 GCs and 1,000 FCs.

You don’t need any New York online casino promo codes to claim the offer. Simply sign up and complete the simple instructions on the site. In terms of games, Fortune Coins doesn’t fall short either. You can play 500+ slots, jackpots, and fish titles.

→ As I scanned the lobby, I located Ghost Pirates by Blazesoft, and it instantly became my favorite. The slot stayed true to its name, with symbols such as bottles of rum, the dead man’s skull, and a treasure chest.

Funzpoints in New York

As a Funzpoints casino player, you get access to 90+ games. The count may not be too high, but what makes this unique is its sweepstakes model. You play with Gold Coins and Funzpoints (in place of Sweeps Coins). When you create an account, you can claim the 1,000 GC and 2.50 Funzpoints welcome offer.

Funzpoints may not have one of the best New York online casino apps, but its mobile site is smooth. I can confirm this first-hand since I played on the site.

→ My favorite game on the site is Enchantress Luna, an in-house title. The slot held me in a spell — literally. 

LuckyBird.io in New York

Although ranked fifth, LuckyBird can strongly compete with any other best online casino New York players can use for sweepstakes gaming. It’s the first Provably Fair social casino, and that’s quite a considerable feat. If you sign up on the site, you can claim up to 5,000 GCs and 0.6 SCs from the 7-day login bonus. 

Many games at LuckyBird sweepstakes casino are originals since the site uses Provably Fair. However, the platform still has a vast collection of slots.

→ During my review, I played Crash, an original title, and it was pretty straightforward. The gameplay involves setting a play size and cashing out before the rising line crashes. 

Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casino in New York

The sweepstakes casinos in New York have several thrilling games. However, they don’t always match a real-life experience. If that’s what you’re after, there are real money land-based casinos in New York to visit.

Have a look at our top three below.

Batavia Downs Casino in Batavia

Batavia Downs is a massive land-based casino with 900+ games. That’s even more than what you get at some New York online casino sites for sweepstakes gaming. The best part is that the casino adds games more regularly, so you can always find something fresh to play.

At Batavia Downs, you can join the Player’s Club and enjoy exclusive bonuses and promotions. Here’s what a player had to say after rating the casino 5/5:

This casino and hotel was a very pleasant surprise. A modest-sized casino with popular games from IGT and others.

Tony (Big Toe), from Tripadvisor

• Address: 8315 Park Rd, Batavia, NY 14020, United States
• Phone Number: +1 585-343-3750
• Website: bataviadownsgaming.com
• Opening Hours: 8 AM to 1 AM (3 AM on weekends)
• Review on Google: 4.1/5

Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track in Farmington

When in Farmington, you don’t want to skip Finger Lakes Gaming if you’re a casino fan. The location offers some of the best classic machine titles you can explore. In total, there’s an outstanding range of 1,100+ machines across the 44,000-square-foot casino.

As the casino’s description states, Finger Lakes Gaming also has racing tracks. Hence, you can wager on horse races and an extra. This user review best captures what to expect from Finger Lakes:

I love FingerLakes! They have a lot of new slot machines. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

Marie, a regular customer

• Address:  5857 NY-96, Farmington, NY 14425, United States
• Phone Number: +1 585-924-3232
• Website: fingerlakesgaming.com 
• Opening Hours: 8 AM to 4 AM
• Review on Google: 4.0/5

Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca

Seneca Allegany Casino is a complete land-based gambling location in New York. If you visit, you can play 1,600+ slots and 30+ slot games. Nothing else comes close — that’s the casino’s slogan, and it sure fits.  

Interestingly, Seneca Allegany is also an ideal land-based casino for betting on sports. Here are the words of a player that describe perfectly the quality of the establishment:

My all-time favorite casino. Great slots and all table games. Fun bar to play video poker with free drinks.

Blackbird56, from Google Review

• Address: 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd, Salamanca, NY 14779, United States
• Phone Number: +1 888-913-3377
• Website: senecaalleganycasino.com
• Opening Hours: 24/7
• Review on Google: 4.3/5

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in New York?

Most gambling winnings in NY are considered taxable income. So, if you make profits at a land-based casino in the Empire State, you’ll have to declare tax using Form IT-201. This also applies if you redeem prizes at a sweepstakes online casino for New York residents.

Usually, the casino you play at will withhold the tax on your behalf by default. However, as you receive your winnings, the operator will also give you Form IT-2102-G to fill out. Once you finish and submit, you’re done. 

Other Legal Gambling Activities in New York

We’ve explained that you can play casino games legally in NY at sweepstakes sites and land-based establishments. No real-money online casino gambling New York site is permitted at the moment.

If you want more options besides casino games, here are other legal gambling activities in the state:

• Sports betting: You can legally bet on sports if it’s provided via video or electronic means. However, you must only use casino gaming facilities licensed by the state.
• Video Lottery: The NY Gaming Commission organizes lottery games linked to a centralized system. 
• Indian Gaming: These include gaming at casinos owned by the following tribes: the Seneca Nation of Indians, the St. Regis Mohawks, and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York.
• Interactive Fantasy Sports: Some fantasy sports operators are allowed to offer games of skill in New York. You can pay entry fees and compete to win prizes. It’s all legal.  

Fact: Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, New York permits three recognized tribes to conduct gaming activities. 

History of Gambling in New York

It’s common to find players asking, “Can you play online casino in New York?” We’ve established that this isn’t currently permitted, but has that always been the case? Here’s a rundown of gambling in New York over the years to see how things have changed:

• 1967: The New York Lottery launches, selling its first tickets to the public.
• 1970: New York legalizes off-track betting on horse races, expanding gambling options in the state.
• 2001: Many Indian casinos begin operations in New York, increasing the state’s gambling activities.
• 2001: Racetracks across New York introduce Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), marking the beginning of racino—a combination of racetracks and casino-style gaming.
• 2002: Residents of New York get approval to purchase tickets for multi-state lottery games.
• 2010: The popular Powerball Lottery is made available to New York players.
• 2013: Legislation passes to legalize four land-based casino venues in New York.
• 2018: The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA leads New York legislators to start the process of legalizing online sports betting.
• 2021: Online sports betting is officially legalized in New York, opening a new era for the state’s gambling market.

What’s Next for New York Online Casinos?

After online sports betting was made legal in New York in 2021, there were hopes real-money gaming sites would follow closely. However, that is yet to be the case. So, the big question is, when will online casino be legal in New York? According to experts, it could happen in the upcoming years.

Recent reports reveal that New York lawmakers are reviewing a new proposal to legalize casino table games, including video poker, online blackjack, and online roulette.

The State Senate Gaming Committee Chair, Joe Addabbo, is at the forefront of this movement. He shared:

It’s a good bill. We got a lot of input from a lot of individuals, but it’s a starting point. It’s a starting point where I’m hoping that we can have these kinds of discussions during the budget process.

Joe Addabbo, The State Senate Gaming Committee Chair

The lawmaker highlighted revenue as one of the main drives for the New York online casino bill. With the current development, New York online casino fans can expect favorable news in the future. But it’s not possible to know exactly when things will change. 

Fact: iGaming and iLottery are projected to generate up to $1 billion annually for New York if legalized.

So, Will You Bet From New York Tonight?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide your preference for playing casino games in New York. Pick any of the best New York online casino sweepstakes platforms or visit the land-based establishments if you prefer in-person gaming. Our recommendations were thoroughly researched.

So, rest assured that you’ll have an optimal experience with any of them. While we wait to see the future development in NY, see the linked guide to discover which states allow online casino gambling in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions