Can I play online casinos in New York?

Can I play online casinos in New York legally?

No state-licensed online casino exists in New York. The Gaming Commission's consumer page, Avoid risky bets (opens in a new tab), states that online casinos are unlawful in New York, and it specifically includes sites that claim to be sweepstakes.

Offshore casinos still market to people in New York City, Buffalo and Yonkers, and some accept registrations. The commission's unlawful gambling markets (opens in a new tab) page says unlicensed offshore online gaming operators are "operating unlawfully in New York." That's the state's position, and it's the starting point for any decision you make.

This page sits in our online casino questions section. For the legal background across the country, read our explainer on online casino legality in the US.

What New Yorkers can legally bet on online

The commission lists a short set of online wagering that New York permits. Everything outside it, including online slots and table games, falls into the unlawful category.

The nine licensed sportsbooks are Bally Bet, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, theScore Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Resorts World Bet and Rush Street Interactive. Mobile wagers run through licensed commercial casino facilities, and the minimum sports betting age is 21. Our New York sports betting page covers them.

The Gaming Commission's view of offshore casinos in New York

Some states stay quiet about offshore sites. New York doesn't. Its regulator groups unlicensed offshore casinos with prediction markets as businesses operating unlawfully in the state, and it warns consumers away from them.

The sources we checked don't cite a specific penal-law section for online casino play, so we don't quote one. Our New York gambling laws page covers the wider statutory picture. At the federal level, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act targets payment processing for unlawful internet gambling and doesn't make a bet a federal crime for the player.

We describe what New York's regulator says. We don't tell readers offshore play is legal in New York, and we don't predict whether anyone will be prosecuted. A New York attorney can advise on your own circumstances.

New York's sweepstakes casino ban

Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, which use Gold Coins for play and Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for prizes, are banned in New York under S5935-A (companion bill A6745). Sources differ slightly on timing. Third-party coverage says the bill was signed and took effect on December 5, 2025, while the New York Senate press release (opens in a new tab) announcing the signing is dated December 8, 2025.

A follow-up bill, S10092, passed the Senate on June 1, 2026 and was still in Assembly committee in our latest check, so it isn't law. The New York sweepstakes casinos page and our national list of states that ban sweepstakes casinos track what changes next.

Land-based casinos coming to New York City

New York has licensed commercial casino facilities upstate, though the commission page we checked doesn't give a count. Third-party reporting says three downstate projects were recommended for licensure in December 2025: Hard Rock with Cohen's Metropolitan Park, an expansion of Resorts World NYC, and Bally's Bronx. Final license awards weren't confirmed in the sources we read.

None of that creates an online casino market. Licensed retail casinos and online casinos are separate questions in New York law, and only the first exists today. Compare the seven states with legal online casinos to see what a licensed online market looks like.

Risks of offshore online casinos for New York players

Because offshore sites operate without a New York license, the commission can't step in if a withdrawal stalls or an account is closed. The practical risks include:

• No New York complaint route and no state-backed protection of your balance.
• Terms written by the casino, including weekly withdrawal caps and bonus rules.
• Card declines, since many US banks block gambling transactions; see card declines explained.
• Slow payouts reported by reviewers at some brands, plus identity checks before cashing out.

Our guide to offshore vs state-licensed casinos sets these side by side. Whichever site you use, the house edge means losing money over time is the expected result.

Before you play online casinos from New York

Anyone in New York thinking about an offshore casino should work through these steps first. They reduce surprises but don't change the law.

1. Read the Gaming Commission's statements above and decide whether you accept that legal position.
2. Check the casino's terms for restricted states. A third-party review reports that Decode refuses New York players, which is why we don't show it here.
3. Look at license claims and regulator actions in the casino's review and legit-check page.
4. Note the weekly withdrawal limit and any max cashout on bonuses.
5. Set a deposit limit and a time limit before you start.
6. Keep records of wins and losses for your tax return.

Taxes and gambling help in New York

Gambling winnings count as taxable federal income wherever you win them. For payments made in 2026, the IRS W-2G threshold for slot, bingo and keno wins is $2,000, and offshore sites may not send you a W-2G, so tracking is on you. From tax year 2026, the 2025 federal tax law is reported to cap the loss deduction at 90% of losses; check IRS guidance. Our gambling taxes guide has the details.

New York's state help line is the OASAS HOPEline (opens in a new tab): call 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369) or text HOPENY to 467369. Nationally, NCPG's helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Our page on the National Problem Gambling Helpline lists chat and text options.

Offshore casino offers shown to New York readers

We list these partners because New York readers ask about them, not because New York allows them. They are offshore casinos that no US state licenses, and the Gaming Commission says unlicensed offshore casinos operate unlawfully in New York. Check the law before you play. We earn a commission from sign-ups and rank partners commercially.

• SlotoCash Casino: $6,000 Welcome Bonus + 60 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). The casino's terms say 25x (deposit + bonus) wagering, a $20 minimum per bonus and no max cashout on its published five-deposit package.
• Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Its offer page says 30x wagering while its general terms say 40x on slots, and it says there's no max withdrawal on the welcome offer; deposits start at $30.
• Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Third-party reviews report 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots and a $1,000 max cashout on its 200% code; Planet 7's official terms weren't available to check.

Each casino may advertise a different package on its own site, so the terms shown at sign-up are the ones that count. Bonuses are slot-focused, and table games are often excluded or weighted lower. None of these partners publishes a full restricted-state list, so confirm at sign-up that New York accounts are accepted. Read the SlotoCash review, Silver Oak review and Planet 7 review first.

21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).