New York Online Casinos: Latest Updates

So far, efforts to legalize online casinos in New York have fallen flat, but prospects look favorable for 2025. The latest legislative attempt was tabled in April 2024, when lawmakers passed a $237 billion budgeting plan for FY 2024-25 that did not include iGaming expansion.

When online casino legislation is passed, expect the first gambling apps to spring up quickly, offering hundreds of games such as slots, table games, video poker, and Live Dealer options. During the initial launch, new player bonus packages will be at their most lucrative, granting players a golden opportunity to build a bankroll.

In this article, we’ll cover the legal status of NY online casinos, why 2025 could be the year for legalization, the details of the proposed New York online casino bill, and which online casino sites might be available. We’ll also explore bonuses, deposit and withdrawal methods, expected games, current legal gambling options, and responsible gambling practices in New York.

The legal status of NY online casinos in 2024

Online casinos are currently illegal in New York, but over the past several years, key lawmakers have been advocating for legalization.

The biggest push came in January 2024, when New York Senator Joseph Addabo introduced iGaming legislation to help plug New York’s budgetary shortfall. S8185 is a tweak of Abbado’s 2023 bill that would legalize online casinos and an online lottery.

Longtime iGaming champion Asm. Gary Pretlow submitted a nearly identical companion bill in the NY State Assembly (A9198). Unfortunately, neither bill made it through their respective committees. When Governor Hochul released her Executive Budget without either bill, the hopes for online casino legalization in 2024 were mostly dashed.

The last glimmer of hope was snuffed out in June 2024, when Hochul denied a special legislative session to address transportation (MTA) funding. Instead, she released a statement advocating cost-cutting measures and alternative project timelines. The next legislative session won’t convene until January 2025.

Why 2025 could be the year for NY online casinos

Despite previous setbacks, 2025 could be the year for NY online casinos as proponents now have significant momentum on their side.

In April 2021, New York included mobile sports betting legislation in its budget agreement, paving the way for the legal industry. By November of that year, the New York State Gaming Commission had adopted regulations and approved nine operators. Two months later, the first online sportsbooks went live.

This shows that New York is willing to use gaming revenue to cover its budget deficit along an accelerated timeline.

Not to mention, the financial benefits sports betting has reaped are undeniable. In 2023, the state collected over $862 million in tax revenue from mobile wagering and has since surpassed $2 billion overall. It is the most lucrative sports betting market in the United States.

If revenue reports from states with legal online casinos are any indication, New York’s online casinos would generate substantially more revenue than its sportsbooks.

Revenue, and more revenue, is exactly what the state needs right now, to the point where they might not be able to kick the can down the road any further. New York faced a projected $5 billion budget gap in FY 2025-26, swelling to $9.9 billion in FY 2027-28. The structural imbalance is even larger.

If Governor Hochul remains steadfast in her commitment to not raising taxes, the state will have to find revenue elsewhere. Online casinos could be a piece of the puzzle.

What’s holding New York back from legalizing online casinos?

The main hurdle for online casino legalization is opposition from labor unions, particularly the New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC).

The HTC staunchly believes that online casinos will cannibalize the state’s brick-and-mortar casino industry, resulting in job losses.

Sen. Addabbo tried to offset these concerns by adding an amendment requiring NY online casinos to use union employees, to little avail. However, this small change ensures that Live Dealer Studios must hire union dealers.

Cannibalization has been a talking point ever since New Jersey legalized online casinos in 2013. Yet, it has little basis in reality. A recent study by Eiliers & Krejcik shows that online casinos have a slightly positive impact on land-based casinos and emphasizes that the two attract different demographics with distinct social experiences.

Another concern is that New York is currently in the licensing process for three downtown casinos, and progress is moving at a snail’s pace. Under the current legislation, the Gaming Commission won’t approve license applications until December 31, 2025. Governor Hochul may be hesitant to both rebuff the HTC and add more to the Commission’s plate in the same year.

New York online casino bill details

New York’s online casino bill, S8185, is, in many ways, more expansive than New York’s mobile sports betting initiative. It covers several iGaming verticals and allows for significantly more skins.

Key highlights are as follows:

• Would authorize online casinos, including slots, table games, and Live Dealer games.
• An online lottery would also be authorized and would cover instant cash, quick draw, daily number games, and larger multi-jurisdiction games like PowerBall and Mega Millions.
• Qualifying applicants include commercial casinos, video lottery terminals (VLT), federally recognized tribes that have entered into a gaming compact with New York, and licensed mobile sports betting operators. An additional three at-large licenses would be awarded via a competitive bidding process.
• Authorized operators pay a one-time $2 million licensing fee. For independent platform providers that wish to display their brand, the fee is $10 million (also one-time).
• License holders pay a 30.5% tax on their gross gaming revenue (GGR). This walks the middle line among states with legal online casinos, higher than New Jersey’s 15% tax rate but significantly lower than Pennsylvania’s 54% rate on slots. It’s more in line with the Michigan industry, which imposes a graduated tax rate ranging from 20-28%.
• Each license holder can only offer one individual branded skin.
• $11 million in collected taxes must be allocated toward responsible gambling annually.
• 0.025% of quarterly taxes or $25 million annually, whatever is greater, will be used to establish a fund for “employee training, responsible gaming training and education, health, and development.” Eligible participants must be union employees.
• Live Dealer studios must be located in New York and contract union employees.

Will New York also legalize online poker?

Online poker is also covered in the legislation, but details are sparse. However, there are some mentions of multi-jurisdiction games, suggesting that NY online poker sites could enter the Multi-State Internet Poker Agreement with New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia.

In May 2024, Sen. Addabbo introduced an online poker-only bill (S9226), which was seen as a last-ditch effort to get some form of iGaming legislation across the finish line. However, it was left out of a key Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering meeting, signifying that the votes weren’t there.

How many NY online casino sites will be available?

Despite the one-skin per operator limitation, New York could have up to 30 online casino sites available at maturity. This would put its scope on par with the New Jersey market, except it would service a much larger population.

• Four existing upstate commercial casinos: Rivers Casino Schenectady, del Lago Resort, Resorts World Catskills, Tioga Downs
• Three prospective downtown commercial casinos
• Eight VLTs or racinos
• The three Indian tribes with tribal-gaming compacts with New York are the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
• Nine licensed mobile wagering operators: FanDuel, Bally’s, MGM, DraftKings, Caesars, Wynn (WynnBet’s license was acquired by ESPN Bet, but the transition hasn’t occurred yet), Fanatics, Rush Street, Resorts World
• Three licensees that win via auction

It’s worth noting that two of New York’s racinos, Empire City and Resorts World New York City are prime candidates to receive downstate casino licenses. This is primarily due to the ease by which they can be converted to full-fledged commercial casinos.

Empire City’s new owner MGM has already unveiled detailed plans to transition the racino. Highlights include a BetMGM sportsbook, new entertainment and dining options, and a comprehensive redesign of the casino floor.

The only downside to Empire City and Resorts receiving commercial casino licenses is that it’ll reduce the number of potential NY online casino candidates to 28. Rivers also double dips, as it owns and operates a land-based casino in Schenectady and an online sportsbook (BetRivers).

Which online casino sites will be available in New York?

Every major gaming operator will want to be one of the online casino sites available in New York, as the state’s market is expected to be the biggest in the United States by a fair margin.

Operators that already hold mobile sports betting licenses are expected to be the first movers, with other big names soon to follow. Here’s a look at the most likely online casino sites to be available in New York:

DraftKings Casino NY

DraftKings will undoubtedly enter the NY online casino market and should be among the first to open its virtual doors.

The operator is the market share leader in the state’s hyper-competitive mobile sports betting industry, edging FanDuel Sportsbook in recent revenue reports. It also has online casino licenses in five states and is a dominant force in nearby New Jersey.

DraftKings Sportsbook already supports a fully integrated online casino, so the transition in New York will be a breeze. Expect several hundred games at launch, swiftly expanding into the thousands and encompassing slots, table games, Live Dealer, exclusive titles, and progressive jackpots.

FanDuel Casino NY

FanDuel is another no-brainer. Since NY online sports betting went live, FanDuel Sportsbook has generated more revenue than any other app. Of late, it’s played second fiddle to DraftKings, but that could be a temporary anomaly.

Like DraftKings, FanDuel holds online casino licenses in the five largest legal U.S. online casino markets and is a top two performer in each. Its casino app arguably boasts the most modern design, bolstered by FanDuel’s commitment to stellar new player bonuses and exclusive games.

Just for perspective: In 2023, DraftKings and FanDuel accounted for 73.6% of New York’s online sports betting handle and 79.8% of its revenue.

BetMGM Casino NY

BetMGM may only be the fourth-largest online sportsbook in New York, but its parent company (MGM) is the biggest casino conglomerate in the entire world.

The operator has done a commendable job of leveraging its highly recognizable brand. Today, BetMGM is one of the few gambling apps to offer mobile sports wagering, online casino games, and online poker across multiple markets. The app is integrated with the award-winning MGM Rewards loyalty program and leads the pack in game selection and cashiering options.

If this weren’t enough to guarantee BetMGM a spot in the NY online casinos market, MGM would be among the frontrunners to operate a downstate casino.

Caesars Palace Online NY

Along with MGM, Caesars is the other mega casino brand in New York and is another virtual lock to launch a NY online casino. It operates Caesars Sportsbook NY, the industry’s third-largest sports wagering app.

Caesars initially had trouble finding its footing in the online casino arena. That changed in 2023 when it launched a completely revamped and modernized online casino. Caesars Palace Online shares the same platform and design as Caesars Sportsbook and has been received remarkably well by players.

The online casino should be equally praised by New Yorkers, especially if it launches with the aggressive welcome packages Caesars is known for.

BetRivers NY

BetRivers already has a massive presence in New York and will undoubtedly seek to expand. Its parent company, Rush Street, owns and operates a commercial casino in Schenectady, and BetRivers is one of nine licensees to support a NY online sportsbook.

If that weren’t enough, BetRivers operates online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware. When it launched in 2016, the casino app was considered ahead of its time, bringing a sense of modernity to a rather stagnant industry.

That’s not to say BetRivers won’t be facing an uphill battle, as its online sportsbook only ranks sixth in New York, far behind the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel. Yet, if it launches with the same range of games and stellar loyalty program (iRush Rewards) that it offers in other states, expect it to contend.

ESPNBet Casino NY

Since launching in November 2023, ESPN Bet has aggressively expanded into 17 states, and its casino product is live in four. New York is clearly on the company’s radar, as in February 2024, it purchased WynnBet’s license for $25 million.

This purchase carves a clear path for ESPN Bet to enter the NY online casino market. The problem is that ESPN Bet Casino is a mere reskin of the old Barstool Casino, which wasn’t exactly adored by online gamblers. However, should ESPN leverage its brand more effectively and utilize parent company PENN National’s experience, the sky’s the limit.

Fanatics Casino NY

Fanatics is a relative newcomer to the iGaming space, but it has the marketing dollars, leadership, and brand recognition to push the envelope.

The company gained widespread market access by acquiring PointsBet in April 2023, and its online sportsbook is now live in 21 states. This includes New York, where it utilizes PointsBet’s license. Fanatics also has an online casino presence in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

So far, Fanatics Sportsbook has performed well in New York, ranking fifth in market share and closing in on Caesars and BetMGM. This should give it the confidence it needs to apply for an online casino license.

Bally Casino NY

Bally is in an awkward position. Although it has a NY mobile wagering license, its Bally Bet sportsbook has drastically underperformed, generating only 0.1% market share.

However, its online casino fares remarkably better, especially in New Jersey where it captures roughly 3%. That may not sound like much, but it’s significant in a market with 30+ operators. New York stands to have nearly the same number of online casino apps, but a higher revenue ceiling.

Whether Bally Casino expects a similar showing in New York may determine how it proceeds. Odds are, it will snag a NY online casino license and roll the dice.

Hard Rock Casino NY

Hard Rock has been pining to build a commercial casino in the NYC metro area for years, but the closest it has come is the launch of Hard Rock Atlantic City in 2018.

The casino franchise made a failed bid to build a casino at the Meadowlands in New Jersey back in 2016 and more recently saw its proposal for a Queens area casino, in partnership with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, blocked by State Sen. Jessica Ramos.

However, that doesn’t necessarily close the book on Hard Rock’s NY online casino aspirations. The operator launched a revitalized sports betting app in 2023, now live in seven states, including the highly coveted Florida market. It also supports a NJ online casino, with a respectable market share.

If Hard Rock can’t get into NY by land, it may try to gain access via the internet.

Golden Nugget Casino NY

Golden Nugget was an early frontrunner in the NJ online casino industry, positioning itself for a mammoth acquisition by DraftKings in 2022 for $1.56 billion.

Unfortunately, Golden Nugget Casino lost some of its identity in the process, and some may say that it’s merely a lesser clone of DraftKings. However, sinking revenue won’t prevent DraftKings from pushing Golden Nugget into the NY online casino market.

Bet365 Casino NY

Bet365 met the NY mobile sports wagering license criteria but was rejected by the Commission. It could get a second chance when New York begins accepting online casino applications.

The operator is one of Europe’s largest online gaming brands but has taken a very conservative approach in the States, only choosing to enter the most viable markets. Considering New York is the Golden Goose of iGaming, we suspect Bet365 will fight aggressively for a seat at the table.

New York online casino bonuses

Expect New York online casinos to roll out the red carpet for new players, showering them with lucrative sign-up bonuses. These welcome packages will likely be at their strongest when the industry first launches, as operators will be scrambling for market share.

Based on what we’ve seen in other states, we can effectively gauge the types of welcome bonuses we’ll see and their overall value. These bonuses typically include No-Deposit Bonuses, Deposit Match offers, Second Chance (Bonusback) promotions, Bet & Get deals, and Free Spins.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these popular bonus types and what they might offer New York players.

No-deposit bonuses

Players who complete the sign-up verification process may receive a one-time no-deposit bonus. Typically, these bonuses range in value from $10 to $50, but they may be augmented when NY online casinos first launch.

No-deposit bonuses aren’t exactly free money. Before cashing out, bonuses must be wagering a certain number of times. For instance, a $25 no-deposit bonus with a 1x turnover requirement cannot be withdrawn until you place $25 in cumulative bets.

Some casinos also require that they make a qualifying deposit before cashing out their winnings.

You’ll most likely receive no-deposit bonuses from:

• BetMGM Casino
• Caesars Palace Online
• ESPN Bet

Deposit match

Deposit matches are the to-go welcome bonuses for many online casino sites, and the NY market should be no exception.

The upside of this format is that the bonuses are usually large, up to $2,500, and possibly more in a nascent market. The downside is that players must make large upfront deposits to maximize their bonuses and meet stringent wagering requirements to convert them into cash.

For instance, a 100% match up to $1,000 with a modest 10x turnover won’t convert until you wager $10,000. There’s also the issue that some games are excluded from bonus consideration, so you may be forced to play slots.

Still, no other bonus allows you to start with twice the starting bankroll and a hefty edge over the house. Seize the opportunity.

Expect the following NY online casinos to offer them:

• BetMGM Casino
• Caesars Casino
• Hard Rock Bet
• Bet365 Casino

Second chance (bonusback)

We’re hesitant to toss around the phrase “risk-free,” but second-chance bonuses are about as close as you’ll get.

For a limited period following your initial deposit, usually 24 hours, the casino will refund all net losses, capped at a certain amount. So, if a casino offers $500 in bonusback and you lose $200, you’ll receive $200. If you lose $600, you’ll only receive $500, because that’s the maximum amount.

Most casinos pay the refund as a bonus with a 1x wagering requirement, hence the term bonusback, but a select few give you cash, which can be used however you like. If the wagering requirement on bonusback is higher than 1x, it’s probably not a great deal.

More and more casinos are embracing bonusback. Look for them at the following NY online casinos:

• FanDuel Casino
• BetRivers Casino
• Bally Casino
• ESPN Bet

Bet & get

This bonus format is perfect for players on a strict budget or who otherwise don’t want to spend hours clearing deposit matches.

Bet & Gets are extremely simplistic, unlike other bonus formats that can be riddled with fine print. Players make a small deposit, usually 5 or 10 bucks, and play through it once. Then, they’ll receive $50 – $100 in casino credits. That’s it.

That’s under normal circumstances, but the bonus amounts may be larger in new markets. We’ve seen casinos open with Bet $5 Get $250 bonuses in other states, and we expect NY online casinos to follow suit, if not be even more generous.

The following casinos have embraced Bet & Gets:

• DraftKings Casino
• Golden Nugget Casino
• Fanatics Casino

Free spins

Free spins are rarely the main course but rather the cherry on top. Online casinos add them to enhance and distinguish their welcome packages, and players love them because they’re engaging and increase the overall value of their sign-up bonus.

Typically, casinos award 100-500 bonus spins to first depositing players. These spins are usually for a specific game and set to a low denomination ($0.10 – $0.50). For instance, on top of its $500 bonusback offer, FanDuel gives players 200 spins of its exclusive World of Wonka slot.

Any winnings from the spins are sent directly to your cash wallet, although some other casinos may award winnings as site credits.

Expect the following NY online casinos to add bonus spins to their offers:

• FanDuel Casino
• Hard Rock Bet
• Fanatics Casino
• ESPN Bet

Deposits and withdrawals at NY online casinos

Currently, the only real-money online casinos in New York are shady, unregulated, and illegal sites that offer limited payment options and no guarantees that withdrawals will be honored.

The legalization of NY online casinos will make cashiering much safer, as casinos will be mandated to abide by strict regulations set forth by the Commission.

Also, most payment processors have warmed up to the idea of real-money gambling transactions, meaning players will have a multitude of reliable depositing and withdrawal methods to choose from.

The most recent legislation doesn’t explicitly forbid any payment methods but does call for $2,500 annual limits per account on credit card deposits. Otherwise, players will see the same cashiering methods currently available at NY sports betting sites:

• ACH/eCheck
• Paypal
• Credit/debit
• Play+ prepaid card
• Venmo
• Apple Pay
• PayNearMe
• Gift cards

Expected games at NY online casinos

The NY online casino market will appeal to game manufacturers like few others, thanks to the revenue opportunity the industry presents.

Thus, expect operators to fill their lobbies quickly with a wide array of casino floor favorites, online staples, and niche variants. Games will be provided by top suppliers like NetEnt, Evolution, IGT, Big Time Gaming, Barcrest, Everi, Hacksaw Gaming, Aristocrat, Konami, and more.

Here’s a glance at what the typical NY online casino game lobby will look like shortly following launch:

• Slots: The average NY online casino will have 800+ steppers, video slots, bonus buys, Megaways, and branded slots.
• Jackpot slots: Expect dozens of fixed jackpot slots with top prizes that grow with your bet size.
• Progressive slots: These slots have jackpots that grow over time. Some progressives hit before a certain threshold is met (Must Hits), while opt-in progressives can soar into the millions.
• Slingo: 30+ variations of this popular bingo-slot hybrid should be available at launch.
• Blackjack: The best online blackjack games feature better rulesets than equivalent land-based games, including 3:2 blackjack, double any two, double after split, and surrender.
• Roulette: Traditional American variants, along with better single-zero (European and French) versions.
• Baccarat & Craps: Most online casinos offer at least one of these high RTP games, usually both.
• Poker tables: Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride and others
• Video poker: Single-line, multi-line, Ultimate X and Multi-Strike are the most common forms, usually with above-average or exceptional paytables
• Live Casino: Enjoy the excitement of live casino gambling straight from your desktop or smartphone. Most live studios cover blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, game shows, and poker games.

Live Casino is the only game format that may not be available at launch. Unlike digital games, which are essentially plug-and-play, Live Casino games require a more concerted effort. The construction of a studio, employee training, and vigorous tech tests will cause delays, especially if the law requires that the studio be located in New York, which is likely.

Current legal gambling options in New York

New York offers a variety of current legal gambling options, reflecting a fairly progressive attitude toward gaming expansion.

Players from the Empire State enjoy numerous legal options, with real-money online casinos, online poker, and an online lotto being the only exceptions. These options include sweepstakes casinos, online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, commercial casinos, tribal casinos, video lottery terminals, and the state lottery. Let’s look at more details on each.

Sweepstakes casinos

Sweepstakes casinos are the closest legal equivalent New York players have to real-money online casinos. They feature many of the same slots, tables, and Live Casino games.

These sites are legal because they comply with Federal Trade Commission regulations requiring sweep sites to provide a free mode of entry, with no purchase required.

Most sweepstakes casinos offer two currencies. The first is Gold Coins (GC), which have no real-world value but can be used to play casino games. Gold Coins can be purchased directly or collected for free via daily bonuses, promos, or written requests.

Sweeps Coins (SC) can also be used to play casino games, and winnings can be exchanged for gift cards or cash, usually at a rate of 1 SC = $1 SC. Casinos package Sweeps Coins as a “free” add-on with Gold Coins purchases, and players can log in daily to collect SC bonuses.

Popular sweeps sites include:

• Chumba Casino
• Luckyland Casino
• DingDingDing Casino
• WoWVegas
• McLuck

Online sports betting

The first mobile sportsbooks welcomed customers on January 8, 2022. Since then, the industry has flourished, averaging $2 billion in monthly handle and growing.

New York only allows for nine online sports betting operators, but perhaps that’s for the best, as saturation has forced many sportsbooks in other markets to shutter their doors.

The operators NY does have are all heavy hitters, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and soon ESPN. Betting formats run the gamut from spreads to moneylines, parlays, same-game parlays, teasers, futures, and props.

Daily fantasy sports

After an embittered battle, New York authorized daily fantasy sports (DFS) in 2016 and has been collecting revenue on DFS revenue ever since.

DraftKings and FanDuel are the industry’s two major players. They briefly faced competition when Pickem-style DFS sites like Underdog Fantasy Sports and PrizePicks came into fashion, but they were banned in October 2023.

Commercial casinos

It’s hard to believe, but New York commercial casinos have only been around since 2016. Today, the state houses four upstate casinos, with plans to open three downtown casinos in the upcoming years.

Unlike racinos, commercial casinos offer a full suite of games, including slots, table games, poker, and sports betting.

Existing commercial casinos have underperformed, mainly because they’re far from New York’s main population centers. Unfortunately, downstate casino licenses probably won’t be approved until the end of 2025, meaning we could be quite a few years off from having more accessible resorts.

Tribal casinos

New York has a bustling tribal casino scene featuring eight Class III casinos scattered across the state.

The most notable attraction is probably Turning Stone Resort Casino, located in Venona and owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation of NY. With over 2,000 slots, 65+ tables, a bingo hall, and an enormous poker room, its scope is roughly on par with New York’s biggest commercial casino, Resorts.

Video lottery terminals (racinos)

Empire City Casino, Belmont Park, and Saratoga highlight New York’s thriving racino scene.

Belmont Park is famous for hosting the third leg of the Triple Crown, while historical Saratoga is one of the oldest racing venues in the United States. Meanwhile, Empire City is a prime candidate for becoming a fully realized commercial casino under the MGM brand.

Lottery

New Yorkers 18 or older can legally purchase PowerBall, Mega Millions, and New York Lotto tickets.

Scratch-offs are also permissible.

Online casinos in neighboring states

Most states that have legalized online casinos are within striking distance of New York. In particular, players from NYC itching to hit the virtual slots can play in New Jersey, which supports 30+ legal sites.

Under state law, players do not have to live in a state with legal online casinos. They only have to prove they’re within state boundaries via geolocation technology.

Responsible gambling

Before New York legalizes online casinos, responsible gambling measures must be addressed to ensure that this new option doesn’t lead to a substantial rise in problem gambling.

Luckily, regulators now have a decade of data to fall back on, which will help them provide responsible gaming safeguards that don’t exist at unregulated casinos. These include tools allowing players to set deposit, time, and wagering limits. Furthermore, players can take short breaks (cool-offs) or self-exclude when their spending gets out of hand.

In addition, Senator Addabbo’s most recent bill proposes $11 million in responsible gaming funding for problem gambling education and treatment.