Online Gambling in New York - Casino & Sports Betting

New York, also known as The Empire State, Big Apple, and the city that never sleeps. With millions of tourists flocking to the city each year, it is no surprise that it is one of the most populated cities in the world. However, in recent years there has been confusion in what you are able to bet on, especially with sports betting. Although the neighboring state, New Jersey, has been a bettors paradise for years with the approval of casino gambling in Atlantic City passing in 1976.

Since Congress established the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1992, there have been many constraints on sports-based betting in the United States. Until this law was abolished, sports betting was illegal in almost every state in the US. In addition, sports betting laws are sometimes difficult for players to understand because each state has its own set of guidelines. Thanks to Senator Joseph Addabbo, starting in January 2022, Sportsbook Operators are now open for Legal Online wagering in New York State.

The law governing New York internet gambling is continually evolving, with 2022 being one of the most exciting years yet for the state! This article is certainly worth a read if you partake in playing the lottery, take part in sports betting, or play casino games.

New York maintains a broad and regulated gambling framework, overseen by the New York State Gaming Commission, covering sports betting, commercial casinos, horse racing, video lottery, tribal gaming, fantasy sports, and charitable games. Online casino gaming remains unauthorized, though lawmakers have introduced legislation to allow it in the future.

Online Casinos

New York has not legalized real-money online casino gaming. The state's current laws permit only sweepstakes-style casino apps, which were legally restricted following an enforcement action by the Attorney General in June 2025. Several legislative bills are pending to legalize interactive gaming, but no law authorizing real-money online casino play has been enacted.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: N/A
• Official Link: N/A
  

Online Sports Betting

Mobile sports betting was legalized by legislation enacted in 2021. Under the law, all online sports wagers must be processed through servers located at licensed New York casinos or racetracks, following a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2013. Mobile sports wagering launched on January 8, 2022.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: January 8, 2022
• Law: Part of the 2021 Budget Bill — Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law §1367-a
• Official Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RWB/1367-A
  

Physical Casinos

Commercial casinos were authorized in 2013 when voters passed a constitutional amendment allowing up to seven casino licenses, resulting in licenses for Native American tribal casinos, racinos, and commercial venues. These are governed under the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law (Title 13-B).

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 2013 (legislative implementation by 2014)
• Law: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, Title 13-B
• Official Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RWB
  

Horse Racing

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are legal and regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission under Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law. The law oversees live and simulcast racing, off-track betting, and breeding.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: Codified since 1970s
• Law: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
• Official Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RWB
  

Lottery

The New York Lottery has been legal since 1966 and is regulated under the State Lottery Law, which governs draw games and instant scratch-offs. It is run by the New York State Gaming Commission.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1966
• Law: State Lottery Law
• Official Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RWB
  

Charitable Gaming (Bingo, Raffles, Small Games)

Charitable gaming is permitted under the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law. Licensed nonprofit organizations may conduct bingo, raffles, and other small-stakes games under oversight by the New York State Gaming Commission .

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: Codified 2013
• Law: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 1367 et seq.
• Official Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RWB
  

Overall Comment

New York operates a fully structured and evolving gambling regime. It offers legal online sports betting, commercial gaming, horse racing, lottery, and charitable activities, while real-money online casinos remain banned—but are under active legislative consideration.

Online Casino in New York

Online casinos are not yet permitted in New York State. However, several New York casinos do provide internet gaming through social casinos. Social casinos are completely legal in New York and provide table games and slot machines similar to those found in a conventional casino. With the expansion of gaming and gambling in that state, we can expect it will soon be legal here too.

Sports Betting in New York

Online sportsbooks are now legal to use in this state. In 2013, New York authorized sports betting at its commercial casinos. The first in-person sportsbooks opened in July 2019, over a year after the government prohibition on sports betting was lifted. New Yorkers may now gamble on athletic events from the comfort of their own homes or from anyplace else. The state Gaming Commission has now approved four online betting companies to begin accepting bets in January 2022, making New York the 18th state to allow some sort of online sports wagering. As a result, both online and in-person sports betting are now allowed in New York! 

Final Thoughts

The gaming market in New York is one of the few in the United States that is seeing consistent growth, increase in income, and unique innovation. In addition, sports betting accounts for a sizable component of internet betting in the United States, and most bets are currently placed online. As a result, legalizing online sports betting in New York might result in greater income for the state. This might be a great step for the state of New York, which, with its flourishing tourism economy, could see a significant increase in revenue from the introduction of sports betting alone.

It should be noted that regulations are always subject to change. As a result, it is critical to verify with your state’s regulations on what you are permitted to gamble on in your specific region.