In New York, gambling laws have historically limited gambling to casinos on Indian reservations and allow betting on horse racing. But times are changing in the Empire State. In 2013, voters approved an amendment to the New York constitution that allows Las Vegas-style casinos in the state. New York Gambling Laws - A Brief History. 1833 - New York is the first US state to enforce a constitutional ban on all forms of lottery games.

Gambling legislation in New York is highly restrictive in terms of what New Yorkers can and can't do in the Big Apple.

Many of the state's legislation is over a century in age and when you consider how tough laws on gambling were in the late 19th century to early 20th century, it's unsurprising that punitive restrictions still apply in NYC.

The state-operated lottery is the most popular legalized gambling option, while tribal casinos and pari-mutuel wagering is also a popular pastime here.

New York Gambling Laws - Summary and Look to the Future

The New York penal code states that 'any device, machine paraphernalia or equipment which is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity' is deemed an illegal betting device.

This means that any internet-connected device would come under this umbrella.

However, no specific law exists for penalizing individuals who place online wagers on sports for instance. The penal code only discusses online wagers placed on games of skill and chance.

New York Gambling Laws - A Brief History

• 1833 - New York is the first US state to enforce a constitutional ban on all forms of lottery games.
• 1967 - State-operated New York lottery passed by state Congress.
• 1970 - Off-track betting permitted throughout New York.
• 2001 - Many tribal casinos legalized, while the era of racinos is embraced by the NY state.
• 2002 - New York starts selling Mega Millions multi-state lottery tickets.
• 2010 - New York agrees to join the Powerball lottery.
• 2013 - Full commercial casinos approved by voters in the Upstate NY Economic Development Gaming Act.

What Types of Gambling are Legal in New York?

• Casino Gambling – Casino gambling is legal in New York but most of the full-fledged casinos are tribal casinos and are in the Upstate region. Racetracks in New York are all racinos that offer slots and electronic versions of table games.
• Sports Betting – Sports betting is legal in New York for horse racing and a bill has already been passed to expand sports betting in New York. You can follow all of the New York sports betting news here.
• Online Betting – Online betting in New York is limited to horse racing and most of the major horse racing betting sites take players from New York but online bettors can’t place wagers on races that are taking place within the state. You can follow online gambling updates for New York here.
• Daily Fantasy – New York was a battleground for the Daily Fantasy Sites and once the dust settled the large DFS sites accept players from New York.
• Poker – Poker is legal in New York at the casinos.
• Bingo – Bingo is legal in New York for Charites.
• Lottery – New York has one of the largest state lotteries in the United States with sales exceeding $9 billion a year. The New York Lottery offers daily draws, weekly draws, scratch off tickets as well as interstate lottery tickets.

New York has a well-regulated gambling industry, with several legal ways for residents to play poker, casino games, and lottery games for real money. The state’s racinos offer pari-mutuel as well as casino gaming facilities. On the downside, the state has not legalized and regulated online gambling and sports betting.

LegalGamblingNewYork.com talks about the legalities of gambling in the Empire State plus a whole bunch more. We have also researched and listed out several online gambling sites that are legal for New York that are licensed and regulated, and allow residents to play real money poker and casino games and to bet on sports events online legally.

Is It Legal To Gamble In New York?

It is perfectly legal to gamble in New York, provided residents gamble only in establishments licensed by the state. New York is home to several licensed Indian casinos, racinos, and card rooms that offer pari-mutuel betting facilities and real money poker and casino games. The state also runs a lottery game.

New York has not legalized online gambling and does not license any online gambling business. While the state does not permit online gambling sites to operate in its jurisdiction, it has no laws preventing residents from gambling online at offshore online gambling sites. This lack of law makes it legal for New York residents to gamble online.

Gambling is legal in New York as long as it is done in state-licensed facilities, otherwise it is illegal. Operators should get a license to run gambling businesses as operating unlicensed gambling businesses is illegal. Fortunately for players taking part in illegal games, the state tends to be lenient toward them. The state has not legalized online gambling and does not grant licenses to any gambling company, but it has no law to prevent its residents from gambling online at offshore online sportsbooks.

New York is open to gambling expansion. Although it played a key role in the events of Black Friday, it appears eager to introduce commercial casinos in its jurisdiction. The state is also mulling over the various pros and cons of legalizing online gambling.

Learn More:Gambling Laws + Statutes In New York

Legal Gambling Sites That Accept New York Residents

Although New York does not offer any licensed online gaming sites, there is no dearth of legal offshore online gambling sites that accept New York residents. We have listed the best offshore online poker rooms, casino sites, online bookies, and online racebooks here.

Legal New York Online Casinos

Any offshore online casino that is not based in New York, but operates under a license issued in an offshore gambling jurisdiction is legal for New York residents. Fortunately, there are a number of such online casinos that accept New York residents that meet the minimum age to gamble in the state.

New York friendly online casinos, such as the ones mentioned here, welcome new players with generous bonuses, offer attractive portfolios of online casino games, run lucrative tournaments, and reward players for loyalty.

More:Legal Online Casinos In New York

For players who absolutely must experience the very best that legal online casinos have to offer, the Club World network of casinos is top-notch. After more than ten years of service provided to US citizens and New York residents specifically, this legal gambling site has learned how to please its target client base and far exceed their expectations. Whether customers want to shoot some craps, play blackjack or just play the slot machines and let lady luck do all the work, the Club World's online casino has all of that covered in spades.

No casino, land based, online or anywhere in between would be complete without a thriving system of perks and rewards for their regular users, and this legal online casino is no exception. With Club World, there is literally a different reward for every day of the week. On Mondays, players may receive a 65% bonus on all games. Thursdays are for $25 in bonus chips, and the beat goes on. If New York residents want to check out a casino that not only values its customers but isn’t afraid to show it, then Club World is the casino for them.

Online Sportsbooks That Are Legal For New York Players

Although New York has not legalized sports betting, it has no law preventing residents from betting on sports online at offshore online bookies. We have carefully researched several legal online sports betting sites for NY residents.

Residents will be pleasantly surprised to find that they can bet on not only major international sports events, but also on local collegiate and state-level sports events at these bookies. Besides, these bookies feature great odds, free picks, reduced juice options, season-specific specials, and much more.

More:Legal Online Sports Betting In New York

Sometimes, and especially when looking for a legal sportsbook for New York residents, simplicity is best. That could lead many prospective bettors to the sportsbook over at SportsBetting, and could then lead to many satisfied clients. This legal online sportsbook for residents of New York is one of the most complete and comprehensive found anywhere, online or otherwise, and can be one of the most fun as well.

New York Online Gambling Legalization

Perhaps the greatest feature at SportsBetting is the ability to turn any room into a fully functional sportsbook. With the mobile betting app available from this legal sports betting site, users have the ability to place bets or manage their account from anywhere their smartphone can pick up a signal. You no longer have to sit, weighed down by your computer to follow along with your bets. With mobile betting, you can track all the action in real time from any environment, whether watching the game or stuck at the dentist, New York residents needs never miss out on a sports betting opportunity again.

Legal New York Online Poker Sites

New York residents are fond of playing poker, and there are many legal ways for residents to play land-based poker in the state although there is not a single state-licensed online poker room. Fortunately, the state has no laws preventing residents from playing poker online at offshore poker rooms, and we have made a list of several New York friendly offshore online poker rooms here.

New York residents will be happy to find free and real money poker games at these offshore online poker sites. They allow players to not only hone their skills and build their bankrolls, but also qualify for prestigious live poker tournaments.

More:Legal Online Poker In New York

New York Online Gambling Law

Players who want a really solid poker experience with players that are of similar skill to them should go to BetOnline. For more than 10 years now BetOnline has been steadily gathering players and popularity. Now they are really hitting their stride being able to offer great bonuses and having a steady stream of guaranteed tournaments to keep their users coming back for more.

One of the best parts about BetOnline is that they have a massive bonus. When someone signs up to play with them they will get the chance to win back 200% of the initial deposit they put into the site. As avid poker players know, getting back even part of the deposit is big, but being able to get back more? There isn’t many other reasons needed to check out BetOnline but they wouldn’t be one of the best if they didn’t give players more. For instance, how many other sites can claim to have weekly tournaments? Not just any weekly tournaments either, $10,000 dollar guaranteed tournaments that are sure to send one top player home a lot happier.

Legal Land-Based Gambling In New York

New York has several legal land-based gambling options. Players can visit licensed Indian casinos and play games such as keno, poker, slots, video poker games, roulette, baccarat, and others for real money or bet on their favorite horses at licensed race tracks. The state also operates a lottery game.

More:Legal Places To Gamble In New York

Synopsis of Gambling Options For New York Residents

If players are looking for legal land gambling options in New York, they can find plenty to keep themselves amused. But seasoned players might find that these options are too limited and crave the joys of playing online. Fortunately, playing at offshore online gaming sites is legal although New York has not legalized any form of online gambling in its territory.

We have listed several offshore online gambling options for New York residents. You can play your favorite slots at any of the casino sites or qualify for the WSOP at one of the poker sites mentioned below. Alternatively, you can bet on collegiate, professional or international sports events at many of the approved betting sites for NY players listed within.