Sweepstakes casinos New York players used to join are now banned. Law S5935-A outlaws online dual-currency casino-style games that pay cash or cash-equivalent prizes, and the Gaming Commission says online casinos that call themselves sweepstakes are unlawful. Here's what the law covers, when it took effect, which brands now exclude New York, and what's still allowed.
NY No state casinos; sweepstakes banned · New York guide
S5935-A bans dual-currency sweepstakes casino games with cash or cash-equivalent prizes in New York.
Fines run from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, enforced by the Gaming Commission and the Attorney General.
Sources differ on dates: trade press says signed December 5, 2025; the Senate's release is dated December 8, 2025.
Chumba, Stake.us, McLuck, High 5, RealPrize and others list New York as excluded.
None of our partners is a sweepstakes casino; they're offshore real-money sites, also unlicensed in New York.
Sweepstakes casinos
Banned (S5935-A, companion A6745)
Chapter
Chapter 605 of 2025
Signed
December 5, 2025 (trade press); Senate release dated December 8, 2025
Fines
$10,000–$100,000 per violation
Enforcement
Gaming Commission and Attorney General
State helpline
HOPEline 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369)
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New York?
No. New York banned online sweepstakes casinos with S5935-A (companion Assembly bill A6745), recorded as Chapter 605 of 2025. The law bars operating, promoting or profiting from online casino-style games that use two currencies and let players win cash or cash equivalents. Violations carry fines of $10,000 to $100,000 each, with enforcement by the Gaming Commission and the Attorney General.
The state Senate's announcement (opens in a new tab) from Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. is dated December 8, 2025, and doesn't state the signing day. Trade press reports that the governor signed it on December 5, 2025, and that it took effect immediately. We show both dates because the sources differ.
New York's sweepstakes casino ban: key points
Point
Detail
Source type
Bill
S5935-A (companion A6745); Chapter 605 of 2025
Senate release; trade press
Signed
December 5, 2025, effective on signature
Third-party (trade press)
Announced
Senate release dated December 8, 2025
Primary
Who it targets
Anyone operating, promoting or profiting from dual-currency casino-style games with cash prizes
Primary
Fines
$10,000–$100,000 per violation
Primary
Not covered
Sweepstakes games without cash-redeemable rewards
Primary
How dual-currency sweepstakes casinos work
Sweepstakes casinos run on two currencies. Gold Coins are for entertainment play and have no cash value; Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes, and several brands also offer gift-card redemptions above a minimum. That redeemable second currency is exactly what New York's law targets.
The model presents itself as a promotional sweepstakes rather than gambling, but New York's law treats the cash-prize version as banned. Our glossary entry on Sweeps Coins and our explainer on the difference between sweepstakes and real money go deeper.
The Gaming Commission's view: the sweepstakes label doesn't help
Even before the ban, the Gaming Commission's consumer warning on unlawful online gambling (opens in a new tab) put it plainly: online casinos, "including ones that claim they are sweepstakes", are unlawful in New York. The same page lists what is permitted online: licensed sports wagering, advance-deposit horse racing, online charity raffles, licensed interactive fantasy sports and certain lottery purchases.
The Commission also says unlicensed offshore operators and prediction markets are operating unlawfully in the state. Our prediction markets page tracks that separate fight, New York gambling laws brings the pieces together, and our New York online casino guide covers every legal market in the state.
What's next: S10092 in the Assembly
Lawmakers haven't finished. S10092 passed the state Senate on June 1, 2026, and sat in an Assembly committee, not enacted, as of late October 2026. Its contents aren't covered here, so treat any claim about what it would do with caution until it moves. A law firm's 2026 review of sweepstakes casino laws (opens in a new tab) tracks bills like it across the country.
Which sweepstakes casino brands exclude New York
Most major sweepstakes brands now list New York as a restricted state. Lists change often, so the table gives each brand's status as checked on October 28, 2026, with the source type.
Sweepstakes brands and New York (checked October 28, 2026)
Brand
New York status
Source type
Chumba Casino
Excluded (rules v18.0, August 2025)
Primary
Stake.us
Excluded
Primary
McLuck
Excluded (terms v2.6, October 14, 2026)
Primary
High 5 Casino
Excluded (rules v44.0, October 14, 2026)
Primary
RealPrize
Excluded (play page and terms both list NY)
Primary
Modo.us
Excluded
Primary
Zula Casino
Excluded
Primary
Sportzino
Excluded
Primary
WOW Vegas
No Sweeps Coin play in NY
Primary
Crown Coins
Social play only, no Sweeps Coins
Third-party
LuckyLand Slots
Excluded
Third-party
Pulsz
Excluded
Third-party
Funrize
Excluded
Third-party
Fortune Coins
Excluded
Third-party
Hello Millions
Excluded
Third-party
Spree
Excluded
Third-party
Chumba's rules document dates from August 2025 and may be out of date in other respects, though New York appears on both it and newer third-party lists. Read our reviews of Chumba Casino, Stake.us and WOW Vegas for each brand's full picture.
"Social play only": what a few brands still offer New Yorkers
A couple of brands didn't leave entirely. WOW Vegas's help center lists New York among states with no Sweeps Coin play, and a third-party review says Crown Coins is social play only in New York. In practice that means coin games with no redeemable prize.
Games with no cash-redeemable reward fall outside New York's ban, according to the Senate's description of the law. That doesn't make them harmless: you still spend real dollars on coin packs, and the games are built like slots. Treat any purchase as entertainment spending you won't get back.
New York and the wave of state sweepstakes bans
New York is one of several states that have moved against dual-currency sites. The table lists bans recorded as of late October 2026; see sweepstakes casino bans for each state.
Recorded state sweepstakes casino bans
State
Law
Effective
New Jersey
A5447
August 15, 2025
Connecticut
Public Act 25-112
October 1, 2025
Montana
2025 law
October 1, 2025
New York
S5935-A
December 2025 (see dates above)
California
AB 831
January 1, 2026
Tennessee
2026 law
May 22, 2026
Indiana
HEA 1052
July 1, 2026
Maine
LD 2007
July 2026
Louisiana
Act 182
August 1, 2026
Oklahoma
SB 1589
November 1, 2026
Sweepstakes casinos vs offshore real-money casinos in New York
People often swap one for the other, but neither has a New York license. Here's how they compare on the points that matter to a player in New York City, Buffalo or Yonkers.
Offers shown on this page: not sweepstakes casinos
To be plain: none of our seven partners is a sweepstakes casino, so no partner fits this topic exactly. The two shown below are offshore real-money casinos. No US state licenses either one, and New York's Gaming Commission calls unlicensed online casinos unlawful, so check the law before you act. There's no state regulator to complain to and no state protection of your balance. We earn a commission through these links, and the order is commercial. Decode isn't shown on New York pages because third-party reviews report it refuses New York players.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Third-party listings show a 200% WELCOME200 match with 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots and a $1,000 max cashout per LCB, and a $30 minimum per Blockonomi; Banana Jones and Fish Catch can't be played with coupon funds. Planet 7's own terms aren't confirmed here. License reports conflict (Costa Rica per AskGamblers, none per LCB and casino.guru). Michigan's regulator named Planet 7 in an April 9, 2025 cease-and-desist release. See the Planet 7 review.
Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). LCB lists 200% up to $4,000 with 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots, 60x on blackjack and video poker and a max cashout of 10x the deposit; casino.guru lists 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins. Reviewers report slow payouts and a $2,500 weekly cap. See the Royal Ace review.
Both bonuses are slot-focused; table games are often excluded or weighted lower. The terms shown at sign-up apply.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
Neither casino is a sweepstakes site: both are offshore real-money casinos with no New York license, and the Gaming Commission treats unlicensed online casinos as unlawful. 21+ (18+ where allowed), terms apply.
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Royal Ace Casino#6 on our listSlots and specialty games
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews disagree on the package (200% up to $4,000, or 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins); the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and specialty games (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Third parties report it does not accept Ohio players.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus on slots (reported). Max cashout: 10x deposit (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
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).
Frequently asked questions
Is Chumba Casino legal in New York?
No, not with Sweeps Coins. Chumba's own sweepstakes rules list New York as an excluded state, and New York's S5935-A bans dual-currency casino-style games with cash prizes. The Gaming Commission also calls online casinos that claim to be sweepstakes unlawful. Third-party lists from October 2026 still show New York as restricted. Read our Chumba Casino review for its full state list and how its coins work.
On what date did New York's sweepstakes casino ban under S5935-A take effect?
S5935-A took effect in December 2025. Trade press reports the governor signed S5935-A on December 5, 2025, effective immediately, while the state Senate's release announcing the signing is dated December 8, 2025 and doesn't give the signing day. Either way, the ban has been in force since December 2025. Our sweepstakes casino bans page lists other states' dates.
Can I still play social casinos in New York?
Games with no cash-redeemable prize aren't covered by New York's ban, per the Senate's summary of the law. A few brands, such as WOW Vegas and Crown Coins, are reported to offer New Yorkers coin play without Sweeps Coins. You'll still pay real money for coin packs and can't redeem anything. Treat it as entertainment spending. See are sweepstakes casinos legal for the wider picture.
What are the penalties under New York's sweepstakes law?
Fines of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, according to the state Senate's release. The law targets those who operate, promote or profit from dual-currency casino-style games with cash or cash-equivalent prizes, and the Gaming Commission and Attorney General enforce it. The release doesn't describe penalties for players. Our New York gambling laws page sets this law alongside the state's other rules.
Is Stake.us available in New York?
No. Stake.us's own help center lists New York among its restricted states, as of October 28, 2026. That matches New York's ban on dual-currency sweepstakes casinos with cash prizes. Restricted-state lists change, so check the brand's current page, but don't expect Sweeps Coin play from a New York address. Our Stake.us review covers the brand's model and its other excluded states.
Are there legal online gambling options in New York?
Yes, a few. The Gaming Commission lists licensed sports wagering, advance-deposit horse racing, online charity raffles, licensed interactive fantasy sports and certain lottery purchases as permitted online. There are nine licensed mobile sportsbooks, and bettors must be 21. Online casinos and sweepstakes casinos aren't on the list. See New York sports betting for the licensed apps.
Are offshore casinos a legal alternative to sweepstakes in New York?
No. Offshore real-money casinos hold no New York license, and the Gaming Commission says unlicensed offshore operators are operating unlawfully in the state. They take dollars or crypto directly instead of using coins, which is a different model but not a legal one in New York. You'd have no state regulator behind you. Our offshore casino legality page explains what that means in practice.
Is McLuck available in New York?
No. McLuck's own terms of service, version 2.6 dated October 14, 2026, list New York among 16 excluded states, so Sweeps Coin play isn't offered to New York addresses. High 5 Casino's rules (v44.0, the same date) also exclude the state. Both lists line up with S5935-A, which bans dual-currency casino-style games with cash prizes. McLuck's undated help page gives a different, shorter list, which is a reminder to read the current terms rather than an old article. Our McLuck review covers the operator, B-Two Operations Limited, and its full state list.
Is WOW Vegas legal in New York?
Not for Sweeps Coin play. WOW Vegas's help center lists New York among 13 states where Sweeps Coin play isn't available, although New Yorkers aren't on its shorter list of states barred from registering at all. That leaves coin play with no redeemable prize, which falls outside New York's ban according to the Senate's summary of the law. You'd still be paying real dollars for coin packs you can't cash out. Our WOW Vegas review explains its excluded states and redemption rules, and what a social casino is explains the coin-only model.
Is Crown Coins Casino available in New York?
Only as a social casino. A third-party review reports that Crown Coins is social play only in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, meaning no Sweeps Coins and nothing to redeem. The same review lists 13 other states as fully excluded. Since New York's S5935-A targets games that pay cash or cash-equivalent prizes, coin-only play isn't what the ban covers. Coin packs still cost real money, so set a spending cap first. Read the Crown Coins review for its current state list, and check the brand's own rules before buying.
What happens to Sweeps Coins New York players already held when the ban began?
There's no single published rule, so ask the operator. New York's law took effect on signature in December 2025, and most brands now list New York as excluded, but the sources here don't record how each brand handled balances held at that point. Ask the brand in writing what it will do with your Sweeps Coins, and keep your purchase receipts and redemption records. If a site still sells coins to you from New York, check its excluded-state list first. Our guide to sweepstakes vs real money casinos explains how redemptions normally work.
What happens if a New Yorker plays sweepstakes casinos through a VPN?
You'd be breaking the site's own rules, and any prize can be voided. Sweepstakes brands that exclude New York do so in their official rules, and hiding your location or giving a different address breaches those rules. Brands also run identity checks before redeeming Sweeps Coins, which is where a mismatch tends to surface. It also doesn't change the law: S5935-A bans dual-currency cash-prize casino games in New York, and the Gaming Commission calls sweepstakes-branded online casinos unlawful. Our answer on VPNs and online casinos explains the wider risks.
What is New York's S10092 sweepstakes bill?
S10092 is a newer bill that passed the New York Senate on June 1, 2026, and then sat in an Assembly committee, not enacted, as of late October 2026. Its contents aren't covered in the sources we rely on, so we don't describe what it would change. The ban already in force is S5935-A, signed in December 2025. If S10092 moves, brands and lawyers tend to report it quickly. A law firm's tracker of state sweepstakes bills follows proposals like it, and our sweepstakes casino laws page will cover any change.
Are sweepstakes casino prizes taxable for New York residents?
Yes, redeemed prizes count as taxable federal income. For 2026, the IRS W-2G instructions group sweepstakes with lotteries and pools, with reporting where winnings reach $2,000 and are at least 300 times the wager, but all gambling income belongs on your return even without a form. Losses are deductible only up to gains, and from tax year 2026 that deduction is reported to be capped at 90% of losses; check IRS guidance. New York's own income tax treatment isn't covered here. Our gambling taxes page explains the records to keep.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
