Online Gambling in NY Guide – Up To $5,000 In Free Bonuses

This guide to online gambling in NY covers everything you need to start gambling in The Empire State. Please scroll down for the best destinations for legal online gambling in NY, a comparison between the top providers, an in-depth look into the state’s legal gambling framework, and a getting-started guide to gambling inside New York.

The Best New York Gambling Sites List 2022

The following rankings of the best sites for online gambling in NY are based on thorough research conducted by our diligent team of reviewers. We regularly update this list to ensure it contains reliable NY gambling apps only.

• XBet – best overall for online gambling in NY
• BetUS – excellent cryptocurrency bonuses
• MyBookie – top selection of blackjack tournaments for New Yorkers
• Wild Casino – wide range of progressive jackpot slots
• BetOnline – great for poker online gambling in New York
• Bovada – fantastic Android and iOS app
• Ignition – lots of games in free demo mode
• MyB – impressive video poker selection
• BetNow – wide range of slots
• Sportsbetting.ag – excellent customer service

Is Online Gambling Legal in New York?

As of 2021, New York does not issue online casino licenses. Nevertheless, New York sports betting has been legal since April 2021, and we expect online gambling will also be regulated in a year or two.

Until then, online gambling in NY remains possible through offshore casinos. Please consult the rankings above for recommended providers. Signing up, depositing, and wagering with an offshore site is not illegal according to NY laws, so you don’t have to fear fines or prosecution.

Land Based Gambling in NY

Brick-and-mortar casinos are legal in New York. There are currently around a dozen tribal establishments, five commercial casinos, and eight race tracks with casino-like games (a.k.a. racinos). All Native American casinos are regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Please note that the New York Constitution prevents gambling activities except for those permitted by law. This means that a game of dice on the corner, real-money poker in a friend’s basement, or shell games in public areas are prohibited. Even so, the authorities don’t actively enforce these restrictions unless big money is involved.

Timeline of NY Gambling Legislation

• 1967 – The New York Lottery sells its first tickets
• 1970 – NY legalizes off-track horse race wagers
• 2001 – Several Indian casinos open in New York
• 2001 – Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are introduced to racetracks, paving the way for the first racinos
• 2002 – Multi-state lottery tickets become available in New York
• 2010 – New York becomes a member state of the Powerball Lottery
• 2013 – New York passes a law that enables the establishment of four commercial land-based casinos
• 2018 – PASPA is repealed. Lawmakers begin working on legal online sports betting.
• 2021 – Online sports wagering is legal in NY. Online gambling is next on the agenda

NY Legal Gambling Age

The minimum legal gambling age for slots, table games, real-money poker, and sports betting is 21. This restriction applies to gambling in commercial and tribal casinos. Horse race betting and lottery tickets are available to anyone aged 18 and over.

Offshore Gambling Sites in NY

An offshore gambling site is currently the only way to New York gambling online. Offshore casinos are sites licensed by overseas jurisdictions such as Panama, Costa Rica, and several locations across the European Union. These sites undergo scheduled security and fairness audits conducted by authorized testing agencies. As of 2021, no NY residents have been prosecuted or fined for joining or gambling with an offshore site; in fact, overseas betting is the most popular form of NY gambling online.

Before you sign up with an offshore site for New York online gambling, ensure it has a valid license, positive online reviews, and at least two years of experience backed by timely payouts and fair conduct. The easiest way to avoid signing up with a fraudulent offshore provider is to choose one of the NY online gambling sites ranked at the top of this page, such as XBet or BetUS.a

What Can You Gamble on in New York?

You can legally gamble on live horse races and the state lottery, bet off-track, and wager at tribal casinos, racinos, and commercial casinos. Furthermore, online sports betting has also become legal since early 2021.

Online gambling in NY is possible through offshore casinos; thousands of residents use overseas gambling sites each month without legal ramifications.

Off-track horse race betting is available through XpressBet, TVG, BetAmerica, and Twinspires; the state licenses these sites to offer services within NY borders.

Operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings hold valid state-issued permits to offer daily fantasy sports contests in NY.

New York Sports Gambling

Although land-based betting has been legal in New York since 2019, it wasn’t until April 2021 that Gov. Andrew Cuomo made legal online gambling in NY a reality. Since then, the state has approved betting licenses for nine operators, including FanDuel, Resorts World, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, and WynnBet. These online apps aren’t available in late 2021 but should go live before the 2022 Super Bowl.

Some of the above NY sports gambling sites already have a presence in the state. For example, FanDuel is the official sportsbook provider of the Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, while DraftKings has a partnership with Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo.

Until these new NY gambling apps launch, New York sports gambling online is possible through offshore sportsbooks.

Casino Gambling

Land-based casinos can legally spread video poker, slots, live poker, electronic table games, roulette, blackjack, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, Four Card Poker, baccarat, and other table games as per current regulations. When it comes to racinos, expect electronic table games, slots, and video poker.

The largest casino in the city by game count is Resorts World Casino New York City. The venue boasts over 5,000 gaming machines and close to 500 table games spread across 175,000 square feet of space.

Poker Gambling

Each land-based casino in New York, both commercial and native, boasts a poker room with tournaments and cash games that run around the clock, seven days a week.

Unfortunately, real-money online poker is illegal in the state; however, you can play online sweepstakes poker through providers like Global Poker. You can also join one of many offshore poker rooms that cater to NY residents. Finally, some players drive across the border into Pennsylvania or New Jersey, both with legal online gambling and poker.

We don’t know when online poker will become legal in NY; for now, everything rests on Bill S00018, which, if passed, will reframe poker as a game of skill, paving the way for its legalization.

Gambling Offers & Bonuses in New York

Online gambling in New York gets even better once you factor in the variety of bonuses available to new and existing members. Here’s what’s available:

• Matched deposit bonuses: the casino awards you a bonus equal to a percentage of your deposit, for example, 100% or 150%. Matched deposit bonus offers are usually capped between $500 and $5,000, depending on the provider. Although this promotion is most commonly associated with welcome bonuses, several offshore casinos, such as Xbet, offer match bonuses with re-deposits as well, helping you pad your bankroll and offset a chunk of your losses.
• Free bets: when it comes to online gambling in New York, most bonuses qualify as a “free bet.” For example, you can use a standard matched deposit bonus to place “free bets” on slots, table games, and other casino games.
• Free spins: this bonus lets you spin the slots for free. Online gambling in New York is known for excellent free spin promotions, most of which are bundled with an offshore casino’s welcome package. Free spins are also frequently awarded to celebrate the addition of a new slot game to a casino’s portfolio.
• Free poker chips: offshore online gambling in New York boasts several poker rooms, many of which offer bonuses in the form of rakeback. Furthermore, you can use most bonuses extended by online casinos on video poker and to play Three Card Poker and video poker.

New York Gambling Taxes

New York State considers most gambling winnings taxable income subject to the state’s graduated income tax system. Most residents will pay the state between 5.9% and 6.33% in taxes. Your rate will vary by total annual income and will range from 4% to 10.90%.

Furthermore, all winnings exceeding $1,200 (bingo or slots), $1,500 (keno), $5,000 (poker) are subject to federal tax withholding. The standard rate is 24%; however, your gambling establishment may withhold up to 28% if they don’t have your SSN on file. Your casino, lottery, sportsbook, or racetrack is required by law to fill out Form W-2G in your name and submit it to the IRS. Still, it is ultimately your responsibility to report income to the authorities, so always err on the side of overreporting when in doubt.

Best New York Gambling Sites Reviewed

1. XBet – Best Overall For Online Gambling in NY

XBet Casino was launched in 2013 in Costa Rica and has since grown into a top destination for online gamblers in New York. The casino’s e-portfolio contains over 180 slots, 28 table games, two video poker games, and an HD live casino that includes blackjack, two roulette varieties, baccarat, and Super 6.

The casino’s slots selection is noteworthy for including dozens of 3D games with high production values, such as Book of the Darkness, Thai Blossoms, Monster Pop, Spinfinity Man, and Take Olympus. Some of the games take over 30 seconds to load, but that’s a minor inconvenience.

XBet offers new players a 200% welcome bonus up to $500 with a 40x wagering requirement. This bonus provides the most value to gamblers looking to make a smaller deposit. Additionally, all your subsequent deposits are eligible for a 50% up to $500 bonus (50x turnover). There’s even a refer-a-friend program that awards up to $100 when your referral makes a deposit.

2. BetUS - Excellent Cryptocurrency Bonuses

BetUS is another long-standing name in the online casino industry. It has a stripped-back website with a minimalist feel, but the big draw is the massive welcome bonus. New players receive a 150% matched bonus on their first deposit up to $5,000, and even more if they deposit with crypto. As one of the best bitcoin betting sites, BetUS offers huge bonuses for crypto deposits - 100% deposit match up to $2,500!

The bonus has a reasonable wagering requirement of 30x, to boot. In addition to that fantastic promotion, BetUS regularly gives out offers to existing players, such as bonus funds and cashback.

BetUS provides fast withdrawals, especially for cryptocurrency users. There's a $5,000 daily cash-out limit, more than reasonable by online casino standards. The most active players can request a limit increase, of course.

BetUS offers live chat, phone, and email customer support – all of which are available 24/7.
On the downside, the casino's game collection isn't as extensive as some rivals'. But with that massive welcome bonus, you just might not mind.

3. MyBookie - Top Selection of Blackjack Tournaments For New Yorkers

MyBookie is a relatively new online casino that's growing in popularity and reputation every year, making them one to watch for the title of best online casino in New York. MyBookie started as an excellent sportsbook but now hosts an impressive online casino.

Interestingly, when it comes to games, the casino specializes in live dealer games. That is, casino games streamed from live studios with real dealers and tables. The casino hosts dozens of these games, including many variations of roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat.

Of course, no new online casino would go without offering a lucrative welcome bonus. In the case of MyBookie, we're talking a 150% match on your first deposit, up to $750, use MyBookie Promo code MYB150 to claim now!

Furthermore, the casino has several weekly bonuses and promotions on offer that will keep you coming back for more.

4. Wild Casino - Wide Range of Progressive Jackpot Slots

Wild Casino is another excellent online gambling destination for players in New York.

The star of their show is the massive $5,000 welcome bonus. The offer is split between your first five deposits, with a 100% match up to $1,000 available for each payment. What's more, the bonus comes with a reasonable wagering requirement of 35x.

On top of that, Wild Casino offers reload bonuses for existing customers and special Wild Weekend bonuses with special prizes. High-stakes players from NY are well served at Wild Casino as it's one of the best high roller casinos; there are several tables and slot games with high limits where you can bet thousands of dollars on a single spin or hand.

On the downside, the 24-hour support service doesn't include live text chat – so you'll have to use email when you need assistance.

5. BetOnline - Great For Poker Online Gambling in New York

BetOnline is a slots-focused online casino site. Of course, it offers table games and video poker, but the quantity of available slots is disproportionately larger.

The casino is known for its fast deposits and withdrawals; BetOnline promises a 48-hour window on almost all cashouts, in addition to instant deposit settlements.

New players are treated to a $3,000 welcome bonus using BetOnline Promo Code BOLCASINO, split over three 100% matches on their first three deposits. The promotion comes with a 40x wagering requirement. Furthermore, existing players can take advantage of a monthly reload bonus of 20% up to $500.

Lastly, BetOnline has live chat customer support agents available for you to speak to 24/7.

NY Online Gambling Sites Comparison

How to Get Started with a NY Gambling Site

To start online gambling in NY, all you have to do is sign up and deposit with a reputable offshore casino. Here's a screenshot-based guide demonstrating how easy it is to get started with XBet, our top recommended site for online gambling in New York:

Step 1: Sign Up For a Free Account

Launch the XBet website from your desktop computer or mobile device (iOS and Android are supported) and click "Join Now" at the top of the page. You'll see the first out of a series of three brief registration forms:

Enter your email, password, first and last name, and DoB. You'll be asked to submit a picture of your ID for verification when you request your first withdrawal, so make sure the details you enter here are accurate. Click Next for the next page:

Please enter your zip code, state, city, and street name & number as they appear on your utility bill. Click Next for the final page:

Here you can provide or revoke marketing permissions and enter our promo code to claim your welcome bonus. Please watch out for typos when inputting the code to avoid forfeiting your bonus.

Click "Create an Account." The website will generate your account username; save it.

Step 2: Make a Deposit

After you've tried out the games in demo mode and are ready for real-money play, it's time to make a safe deposit. Click the "Deposit Now" button and choose from several payment options:

Credit and debit cards are the fastest but carry the lowest maximum limits. Bitcoin and cryptocurrency transactions are slower but offer unlimited deposits.

If you choose to deposit using Bitcoin or Altcoins, XBet will generate and display a unique address for payment:

Copy the address into your wallet or scan the QR code to initiate your transfer.

Step 3: Start Online Gambling in NY!

To enjoy real-money online gambling in NY at the best offshore casino, browse through available game categories (Featured, Live Casino, Table Games, 3D Slots, Slots, Video Poker, and Other Games) and click or tap a game to start playing.

Wrapping Up

Land-based gambling is in full swing in New York, and internet sports betting has been legalized and should go online in early 2022. Unfortunately, online gambling seems at least a year or two away; instead of waiting, why not sign up with a top offshore NY online gambling site such as XBet and start betting today? Claim your welcome bonus now!

FAQs

Sergio Zammit

Sergio is a very experienced writer based in Malta, one of the world's iGaming capitals, who is an expert in all things gambling.