New York – one of the most populated states in the country and certainly one of the most opinionated! When it comes to their sports, New Yorkers are fiercely loyal, and this can also be seen in the amount they bet on their home teams.
Gambling has had a long history in New York state, but most of the news has been for the wrong reasons. Many stories of gambling rings being broken up, and online gambling being rampant across the state is slowly being replaced with positive stories of regulation and legislation.
One thing is safe to say about New York residents – they love to gamble on anything. This guide to online gambling in New York will bring you up to speed on the state of regulations across the board, as well as ways to improve the way you gamble online. We turn over every stone to find you the most important news that relates to New York bettors, so check back to this page often for the latest on the online gambling industry.
Online/Mobile Sports Betting
The state of New York had a ringside seat for the battle between neighboring New Jersey and the sports leagues over the validity of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). That federal law made it illegal for any state aside from Nevada to offer sports betting, but New Jersey fought it for years until finally, the Supreme Court sided with them, repealing the law as violating state’s rights.
New York, sensing that this fight may, in fact, end up being won by New Jersey, passed legislation in 2013 that would allow legal sports betting at 4 in-state casinos should PASPA be repealed. That legislation, however, was missing several components, including the ability for players to bet online. Now, with PASPA repealed and these casinos taking bets or planning to open their retail sportsbooks soon, there is no plan in place to expand the bill to include other facilities or online betting. Each of the last three years attempts to introduce mobile solutions have been voted down.
One thing that may end up being the tipping point for New York to adopt mobile and online betting is the revenue being generated by those channels just across the river in New Jersey. Since launching mobile sports betting in the fall of 2018, the percentage of bets being placed on mobile devices was ballooned to over 80%. Considering how close the border is to Manhattan, is can be deduced that many New Yorkers are simply taking the train across to make their bets.
Our guide to New York sports betting includes an overview of the different types of bets that are commonly made, as well as any news on the possibility of launching mobile or online offerings in the state.
New York Online Casinos
While there was legislation put in place regarding sports betting, seeing that it didn’t include language for online bets, it should come as no surprise that online casinos are not available legally either. Those players who are keen to play their favorite slot machines or table games from the comfort of their homes are not currently able to at any regulated site.
As with all forms of online gambling, convenience is significant factor in the overall satisfaction with the experience. There is only one land-based casino in the state near New York City, and the idea of traveling to one in the middle of the state doesn’t appeal to many city dwellers.
Again, there is the option of traveling across to New Jersey, where several online casinos operate. For those of you who are keen to give those a try, our guide to online casinos will outline how each game is played, as well as where to find the best player odds in a casino. Reviews of casinos available to New York residents can be found on our sister sites.
Online Poker
Poker is incredibly popular in New York, and with the end of the offshore poker industry in 2011 and the legalization of online poker in New Jersey in 2013, residents of New York are starved for games. Thankfully, there has been a bill proposed that would see online poker resurrected in a regulated environment in New York, but this bill has not yet been passed.
Our online poker page will have the latest news on the proposed bill or any others are tabled, as well as giving you an overview of all the most popular games being played today. While the majority of players know No-Limit Texas Hold’em, but getting to know how to play some of the other disciplines like Chines Poker or Omaha makes the game so much more fun overall.
Online Horse Racing
Horse Racing is one industry that has been accepting online bets for years, thanks to the Interstate Horseracing Act. The sport is very popular in New York, with several tracks open and hosting races. There is a very healthy Off Track Betting network in the state, and much of this business is now driven digitally via websites and apps.
We’ll take you right into the best apps and show you how you make an account, what the different bets mean, and which tracks offer the best races for your betting experience. Horse racing is a ton of fun when you are betting on the outcome, but having a little bit of knowledge can go a long way to making you a more profitable gambler!
Online Lottery Games
Lottery tickets are a huge source of revenues for the state, and it is safe to say that New Yorkers love to play the lottery. When it comes to playing your favorite lottery games online, there are a couple ways to go about it. You could set up a subscription for your favorite draw game through the NY Lottery website, but if you are looking to play a single draw, this app will not work for you. There are, however, several third-party ticket services that allow you to pick your numbers and have an agent but the tickets locally on your behalf. Our guide will outline who these companies are, why they are legal, and which ones are best for you.
Online Betting Guides
In addition to keeping you informed on all the news about regulated online gambling in New York, this site also brings you guides to playing all the most popular games. There is nothing worse than playing at an online casino or sportsbook and not understanding why you are losing money; our guides will give you the basics if you need them or a little more strategy if you are just trying to find better ways to beat the house. Our team of experts is always updating this content so it is worth bookmarking the pages that are the most interesting to you so you can quickly check back for any new tips or tricks.
Online Gambling Bonuses
It isn’t a concern right now for most gamblers in New York, but if you are playing in another state or if you are anticipating the regulations at home, you should have an understanding of how you can best take advantage of the offers being presented by sites. Our guide to bonuses shows you the difference between a cashback and a match play offer, as well as giving you a guide to how to earn your bonuses the most efficiently.
New York Online Gaming FAQ:
When will online gambling become legal in New York?
This is the question everyone wants an answer to. The best guess we have is that there will not be one comprehensive online gambling bill in New York, which means that each vertical is likely to become legal at different times. We expect that 2020 will be a big year for online sports betting as the state sees more players taking their action to New Jersey and potentially Connecticut. Poker would be the next likely game to be legalized, with online casinos bringing up the rear.
Are offshore gambling sites illegal in New York?
Despite the Attorney General’s office successfully prosecuting several online gambling sites over the years, there are still loads of offshore-based operators more than willing to take action from players in New York. It is not illegal for you to play at one of these sites, although the risk of not being paid seems to be too much for many to consider it a viable option. If you are really considering playing with an offshore site, which we do not recommend, you are adding additional risk to the already tough proposition of beating the house at the games. We suggest you stay patient or head to another state to get your fix until online betting is legal in New York.
Will Bitcoin be a way to make bets in New York?
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been in the news recently, specifically discussing their volatility as an investment. With such wild swings in value, it is highly unlikely we will see the deregulated currency being used for legal online betting in the U.S. anytime soon.