The legal status quo in New York - sportsbooks are here!
The state of New York has a long and complex history when it comes to gambling, starting as far back as the early 1600s. The settlement which developed into Jamestown was originally funded by lotteries, which was a popular method of raising money at that time. The practice continued up until 1833 when the Empire State became the first in the US to ban lotteries completely.
It took another two centuries until the New York lottery was reinstated in 1967. Three years later off-track betting was legalized. The next significant occurrence came in 2001 when Indian casinos were licensed and authorized, followed by the introduction of Video Lottery Terminals at racetracks, creating the first state ‘racinos’.
A new era of sports betting in New York
By the end of 2013, the New York Casino Gambling Amendment had passed into law, allowing sports betting to take place at commercial casinos once the federal ban of sports betting was overturned. This finally happened in 2018, when the first legal sportsbook opened its doors to bettors at Rivers Casino in Schenectady. Other retail sportsbooks soon followed suit, so it wasn’t too long before thoughts turned to online sports betting.
The global pandemic delayed discussions about legalizing online sportsbooks, but by early 2021 a state budget bill was passed, and rules were set out for permitting online sportsbooks to operate within state lines. The first sportsbook sites went live early in January of 2022, with even more predicted to open in the coming months.
NY Legal Gambling Sites - Top Picks
Plenty to cheer about for legal sports betting fans in New York
It’s been a long and occasionally rocky road to legalizing online sports betting in the Empire State, and it’s still very early days. But this move has been on the cards ever since the US Supreme Court rescinded the federal ban on sports betting back in 2018. Within just a few months, the state of New York had permitted casinos to allow sports bets to be placed within their premises, not least because of the extra income this would generate.
And it’s the same reason why online sports betting has been so enthusiastically embraced by the state’s lawmakers. After all, the NY gambling tax rate comes in at a whopping 51% for mobile sportsbook operators, and that’s not something to be taken lightly! Figures suggest that mobile sports betting could generate over $480 million each year for the state, and there’s no denying that’s a seriously impressive amount of money!
The first sports betting sites have already opened their virtual doors to bettors in the Empire State. But because mobile sports betting hasn’t explicitly been sanctioned, the lawmakers have had to be a little creative in their approach. So all sportsbook servers must be located within one of the licensed bricks-and-mortar casinos currently operating in the state.
What this means for legal sports betting fans in New York
Whether or not online sports betting is viewed as a cash cow for the state of New York’s finances, what this means for sports bettors is that you can now legally indulge your passion for online gambling. Finally, the long-awaited answer to the question “Is sports betting legal in New York?“ is a resounding “Yes!”, so where are you going to head to first? After all, you have several choices now available to you, so how do you pick out the option that’s right for you?
Luckily for you, our experts here at BallIsLife have some suggestions – and we’ve checked them over extremely thoroughly! We’ve been enjoying sports gambling for more years than we like to think about, so we reckon we know exactly what makes a great sportsbook site. We review every operator, checking out licenses, data security, the sports on offer, deposit and withdrawal methods, customer service operations and so much more. It makes it easy for you to track down your perfect sportsbook site, without having to worry whether it’s reputable and legitimate – as we’ve already done the hard work for you!
Browse through our top selections of sportsbook sites in the Empire State and get ready to discover which one could be your perfect sports betting partner. If you’re wondering “What other sportsbooks are likely going to launch in NY?“, we recommend you bookmark this page and check back regularly. We’re constantly updating our information so that we can bring you all the latest and greatest sportsbooks and bonus promotions!
New York Legal Betting Guides
New York Legal Sportsbook Guides
Our Favorite New York Legal Gambling Sites
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Casino gaming in New York - still waiting for positive developments
From Long Island to Niagara Falls you’ll find around 15 land-based casinos across the state of New York. Some of them are now playing host to the new mobile sports betting sites that have been licensed to operate within state lines, which might lead you to suppose that online gambling has now become legal. So are online casinos legal in NY?
Unfortunately, the fact is that playing online casino games for money isn’t allowed in the Empire State right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wager on your favorite casino games – you just have to be a little creative with your options. For example, you could opt to sign up to an online casino in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, although this option would involve a quick trip across state lines whenever you want to play with real cash. Or, as we’ll explain later in this article, you could sign up on a social casino online.
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Online poker in New York - legal online poker is hopefully arriving soon
Just as with playing casino games, you’ll find you have plenty of options to play a few hands of poker at any one of the land-based casinos across the state of New York. But when it comes to the question, “Is online poker legal in NY?“ the answer is still ‘No’, at least for the time being – although that’s certainly not for want of trying on the part of state Governors.
Senator Joseph Addabbo is hoping to eventually have Bill S0007 passed into law, which would label poker as a game of skill, rather than a game of chance. It’s hoped this would encourage poker fans to stay and play in the Empire State, rather than crossing into New Jersey to spend their hard-earned dollars.
The plan is to eventually issue around 10 online poker licenses, all of which would be regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission. And this could be another money-spinner for the state’s coffers, with fees of up to $10 million potentially to be charged for issuing a license valid for 10 years. Rest assured that as soon as there are any changes in the law, we’ll be letting you know all about it!
Fantasy sports in New York - legal for now!
When it comes to playing online fantasy sports in the Empire State, there’s a great deal of controversy right now. Fantasy sports became legal in the state in 2016, albeit temporarily. Although sports betting fans greatly enjoyed wagering on the activity, there’s been strong opposition from the anti-gambling lobby, who claim that fantasy sports are as much a game of chance as gambling on casino games online. Right now the state is awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeals to find out whether the practice is to become illegal.
If playing fantasy sports is something that’s of particular interest to you, we recommend you bookmark this page, and that you keep checking back regularly to find out the latest news. Rest assured that we’ll be bringing you all the information you need to know about the top operators if online fantasy sports get the go-ahead within state lines.
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Social casinos in New York - the best alternative for ardent casino fans
We promised we’d explain how you can enjoy playing some of your casino favorites online without breaking the law, and here’s how it works. Sign up to a social casino and you can access a wide range of games to enjoy whenever, and wherever you like. So if you’ve been wondering which NY legal gambling sites you can legitimately sign up to enjoy casino gaming, social casinos could be the answer.
Unlike land-based casinos, social casinos - sometimes referred to as sweepstakes casinos - don’t involve real-money play. You can ‘earn’ Sweeps Coins by playing games and by logging into your account regularly – and sometimes through a variety of other means too, depending on the social casino. For example, you might receive extra Sweeps Coins for recommending your friends to sign up, or by playing specific games. Best of all, there are sometimes real cash prizes to be won, although don’t expect any life-changing sums of money!
Bet Online in New York with these Top Apps
Other betting options in New York - lotteries and bingos
There are two questions that we’re regularly asked by gambling fans. The first is “Is gambling legal in New York”, and the second is “What is the gambling age in New York?". New York may have been the first state to ban lotteries, but it was also the first state to reintroduce them again in 1967. Tickets can be purchased by anyone over the age of 18, apart from Quick Draw tickets bought from premises selling alcohol, in which case they must be 21 or over.
Bingo players only need to be aged 18 to play at land-based premises, but online bingo isn’t yet legal in the Empire State. All other forms of online gambling in New York require the bettor to be at least 21, including pari-mutuel horse racing betting.
Esports isn’t officially legal in New York, but they are regulated, so it’s possible to find tournaments to play in. Land-based esports fans flock to the Barclays Center, which plays host to the annual ESL One New York tournament, so there’s certainly plenty of interest in officially legalizing online esports.
Editor’s recommendation — the best legal sportsbook for New York bettors
We’re always a little wary of putting forward one operator as being the best option for all types of betting fans, as there are so many factors to take into consideration. After all, people have different ideas about what makes a great online betting site, including the design, layout, and types of sports on offer.
But if we had to single out just one operator in the Empire State, we’d choose BetMGM, for a number of reasons. First of all, this is a brand with an excellent global reputation, so you can be sure this is no fly-by-night operation. Right now, New York sports betting fans can sign up and claim a generous bonus offer, with a risk-free first bet worth up to $1,000. But that’s just the start of the operator’s incredible promotions, with M Life Rewards available for every wager made on the site. Exchange them for bonus bets on the site, or save them up to put towards discounted holidays and services at your preferred BetMGM Resort.
Another good reason for signing up to BetMGM is that the operator also offers an online casino. These aren’t yet legal in New York, but as soon as the law changes, BetMGM sportsbook members will be able to access a massive collection of online slots and table games too.
What does the future hold for betting and gaming in New York??
These are exciting times for New York betting fans! Now that online sports betting has finally been legalized, we’re hoping that further changes to state gambling laws will follow. Already there’s talk of introducing legislation to permit online casinos and online poker rooms in the Empire State.
Keep checking back to this page of our website, and we’ll be sure to fill you in on all the latest news about legal online gambling in New York. We’ll also continue to update you on the latest New York legal gambling sites and bonus offers too, so you can make informed decisions about the operators you’d like to sign up to.
Conclusion – online sportsbooks are just the beginning for New York bettors
Here at BallIsLife, we’re all about empowering bettors, so we can help you to make the best choices for your circumstances. And we’re here throughout your online journey, guiding you towards the best operators and bonuses, so you’ll always benefit from the best offers.
Whether you want to know the best options for online horse betting NY has to offer, or which forms of online gambling are currently legal across the Empire State, we’ve got all the answers, right here. Bookmark this page and keep checking back to make sure you don’t miss out on all the latest news!
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NY legal gambling sites FAQ
? Can you bet online in NY state?
The online gambling situation in New York is changing – and we’ve got all the information you need to know! Come and discover the top New York legal gambling sites you can sign up to right now, and discover what’s on the cards for bettors in the Empire State. With operator comparisons, bonus information, and much more, you need to see this before you place a bet in New York!
? Is NFL betting legal in NY?
Whether you’re a fan of NFL betting or you love nothing more than a wager on NBA fixtures, we’ve got all the details you need to know to get started with online betting in New York. We’ve got answers to all your questions, from “Can you bet on college sports in New York?“, to “Which sportsbook offers the biggest introductory bonus in NY?” We’ve got all this plus betting guides, news stories, and much more. Come and see for yourself!
? Can you bet online in New York using a smartphone?
Using your smartphone to place online wagers is easy and convenient and we can explain how to get started. Come and check us out at BallIsLife, where we’ve got the answers to all your questions about wagering in the Empire State. From “Is online gambling legal in New York?” to “Which operators offer the best rewards?”, we’ve got the answers to all your questions. Come and check us out!
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