Gambling in New York State

New York State has traditionally been opposed to land-based casinos outside the usual tribal establishments. However, that is slowly changing and resort-style casinos are on their way. The same we can say about online gambling in New York State and areas near New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, Cheektowaga, Mount Vernon, Schenectady. It is slowly moving to the right direction. 2020?

Sports betting is now legal, subject to amendments for mobile bettors, and New York operates legalized lotteries across the state.

Minimum legal gambling age in New York: 18+ (horse racing, casino, lotteries, bingo), 21+ (DFS and sports betting – expected)

Online Sports Betting in New York

Although nothing is actually up and running as of yet, sports betting is now legal in the state of New York. There are four new legal sportsbooks about to open their doors sometime in 2019 and more in 2020. (Probably before the NFL season kicks off).

However, online sportsbooks are still looking at an uphill fight as the New York legislature does not look motivated to legalize any online sports gambling. Time will tell, but soon enough, you’ll be able to place a sports wager in New York state. New York became the 10th state nationwide to accept legal sports bets at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the PASPA, many states have been quick to act and pass their own legislation to regulate their sports betting industry. New York has been one of them but rather reluctantly it seems. Sportsbooks will soon be allowed in New York but only in four locations. This was a compromise in the statehouse as passing anything concerning gambling has always been a hard-fought battle.

For now, sports betting in New York is only available at the Turning Stone, Del Lago Resort and Casino, Tioga Downs, Rivers Casino and Resort, and Resorts Worlds Catskills. Gambling on sports, and in general, is expanding in New York state. However, it will take some time and that is just how the statehouse operates.

All Sportsbooks in New York

Online Casino Gambling in New York

Tribal Casinos and racinos have been active in New York state for many years now but that has not stopped the state from expanding gambling even more. Four new casinos have been added in recent years with plans for more in the works. Finding a casino is no problem in New York state.

Until recently, the New York casino market consisted of Tribal Casinos and racinos. However, four new privately owned, commercial casinos have opened their doors showing signs the Empire State is open to all types of legal gambling expansion. There are plenty of casinos all across New York state with at least 25 open for business today.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The perfect example of a New York racino is the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. For and foremost, this is a horse racing track. Saratoga has several big racetracks in town and it is a very popular industry in the area. Saratoga added a casino in 2001 and has seen many positive effects ever since.

Built into the track’s grandstand, the casino is fully automated but still offers every game you expect to see anywhere. Slots, video poker, video blackjack, and video roulette are all available. Make no mistake, this may be a track first, but it is still a resort with all the amenities such as a first class hotel, fine dining options, bars, lounges and entertainment.

Resorts World Catskills. The Catskills NY has long been equated with entertainment resorts in New York state so it is only fitting to find Resorts World there. This is a full-on, “Vegas” style casino and resort with plenty to offer. Their gambling floor is huge with over 2,000 slots and more than 150 table games available every day. They also have an impressive poker room with daily cash games and tournaments.

Also, this is one of the four casinos allowed to operate a sportsbook and theirs will be opened TBA. However, despite so many gambling options AT Catskills NY, this is also a luxury hotel, a day spa, and an entertainment venue with plenty of dining options. They also offer a players club and an ample amount of promotions.

Del Lago Resort and Casino. Opened in 2017, the Del Lago New York is definitely the direction all casino resorts will be going from this day forward. This is a full resort and casino with all the latest amenities such as a luxury hotel, a day spa, fine dining, shopping, and plenty of nightlife. This is one of the four casinos allowed a sportsbook and it will be opened soon

Online Poker in New York

The legality of online poker is a dicey one to say the least in the state of New York. It is legal to play poker online and it is even legal to operate an online poker site as well. However, the state has not setup the regulatory framework for those sites to operate. Until they do so, New York players will continue to use the off-shore sites they’ve been using for years.

Online Lotteries in New York

The New York lottery has been a success in the state from day one and continues to be so to this day. They offer hundreds of games to their thousands of players every day. All the big games are available as well as many New York-centric offerings and all the revenue the state collects goes directly toward education.

New York state politics has a long and ugly history and this has definitely taken its toll on their legal gambling industry. While their online, casino, and sportsbook industry have suffered due to this in one way or another, their lottery has not.

The New York State Lottery is bigtime of lotteries. They, of course, have a huge mix of state lottos and major brand-name games with Mega Millions, Powerball, Lucky for Life, Pick 10, Pick 4, Pick 3, NY Lotto, Cash4Life, and all types of scratch-offs readily available. A lottery is a major form of revenue for the state’s education budget with over $64 billion going into the schools since 1967.

Fantasy Sports in New York

New York and fantasy sports wagering have not had the best relationship. As it stands now, DFS sites can operate in the state. However, this may not stay the case as there is still a fight raging in the New York statehouse about its legality. New York is headed to more legal gambling across the board and there will come a day when this is all behind them. However, there may be a few more false starts before everything is said and done.

Horse Racing Betting in New York

New York is home to one of the Triple Crown races with the Belmont Stakes so you know it is popular in the state to bet on horse races. There are great tracks throughout the state including Saratoga and Aqueduct. You can also play the ponies via an OTB or online at racebooks like NYRABets, TwinSpires, BetAmerica.

Racetracks in New York 2019/2020

Off-track Horse Racing Betting Venues in New York

New York Online Gambling Legislation Updates

Want to know more about New York state online gambling laws, taxes and development in 2020? Follow updates at statelaws.findlaw.com/