What Is The Gambling Age In New York State
Between 18 and 21. At New York State tribal casinos, the gambling age is 18. At commercial casinos, the gambling age is 21. You’ll still need to be 21 at the tribal casinos to purchase alcohol or gain access to some events. Back in 2013, New York voters passed a referendum that allowed for gambling expansion in the state. The New York Gaming Economic Development Act allowed for the construction of four commercial casinos in upstate New York. As part of that Act, those casinos were permitted to allow sports betting, so long as each casino got approval from the.
New York has one of the longest running relationships with gambling of any state in the US. The state’s first gaming laws were introduced in the 17th century. Although betting is an old activity, laws are constantly evolving (especially recently), and these new legislative shifts lead to a lot of confusion for players.
This NY gambling page looks at all forms of gambling in New York and discusses the state’s laws that cover the activities. We will cover topics, such as casinos, both online and land-based, sports betting, and poker among others. If you know exactly the topic you’d like to know more about, click on one of the navigation buttons to jump straight to the relevant section.
Gambling in New York? What Activities are Legal
New York Gambling Age: 18 for lottery and racing, 18-21 for casinos. No minimum age for charity gaming. Smoking ban: New York bans smoking in all indoor businesses. It does not apply to tribal casinos. New York Online gambling: Horse racing is the only form of legalized online gambling in New York. The legal gambling age in New York is 18+ years of age. However, many gambling locations have limited their customers to 21+ so that they can legally serve alcohol on the game room floor without having to worry too much. The New York State gambling winnings tax lies somewhere around 3% depending on the amount won. Gambling Responsibly in New York. That depends on which side of the Falls you're on. Canada's legal age is 18. The legal gambling age in New York is 18. But the casino on the US side the casino limits access to the gambling floor.
Contents
- Gambling in New York? What Activities are Legal
- Online Gambling NY: Sports
- Online Poker
- NY Gambling Overview
- Famous Gamblers from the Empire State
- Frequently Asked Questions
There are many different things that come to mind when one talks about betting. There are charitable ‘casino nights,’ wagers amongst friends, and horse races. On this page, however, we’ll be focusing on large-scale operations such as casinos, sports betting, poker rooms and more. Directly below, we answer what activities you can legally play when gambling in New York. We look at both land-based gaming possibilities as well as the online gambling NY has.
New York Casinos
The most popular form of gambling is done at the handful of New York Casinos. Nothing compares to the glitz and glamor that someone feels when they step onto the game room floor. New York is one of the more restrictive states when it comes to casino gaming, but residents and visitors do have a few gaming options when in the state. The Resorts World Casino is the only gambling hall in NYC, but there is a nice selection of Indian casinos as well as racinos peppered throughout the state (ex. Yonkers Raceway).
At NY’s various land-based gambling sites, you can legally play all of the most popular casino games that we have come to know and love throughout the years. NY doesn’t have traditional casinos yet, but Native American gaming halls and racinos are legal. For those who don’t know what a racino is, it is a horse track that is allowed to carry traditional games, such as slots, but due to the state’s laws can only offer electronic table games including: baccarat, roulette and blackjack. To play traditional live card games you’ll have to visit one of the Indian Casinos in New York.
Online Gambling NY: Casinos
Many players ask “is online gambling legal in NY? The answer, unfortunately, is that there is currently no legal way, in which to play online casino games that payout real cash when in New York. In legal markets, online casinos are quickly becoming the most popular way, in which to play table and slot games. However, until the New York online gambling laws are changed, you won’t be able to play online, even if you are of legal gambling age.Popular Online Casino Games:
- Slots
- Baccarat
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Video-poker
- Sic Bo
- Bingo
- Scratch Cards
It isn’t all doom and gloom in the US though. Although many states have historically taken hard-lined stances towards gambling, recently many places have taken giant leaps forward towards legalizing the activity. New Jersey has legal online casinos, and many New Yorkers have started to gamble using these NJ sites. Gambling at a NJ site, however, is illegal when you are in NY, regardless of what people tell you. Nevertheless, many legislators know it is a tough task to try and halt the spread of online casinos. So, who knows? Perhaps there will be legal online gambling in New York sometime in the future.
Sports Gambling NY
The New York gambling laws are more lax when it comes to sports betting. Officially, NY sports gambling is legal. The State Gamging Commission has approved sports betting at four upstate casinos. However, New York politicians have been playing ping pong back and forth with the law, while they debate the minor details of legality. The current law requires that players be physically present when sports gambling in NY.
Where to Gamble on Sports In NY:
- World Catskills (Kiamesha Lake, NY)
- Rivers Casino (Schenectady, NY)
- Del Lago Casino (Tyre, NY)
- Tioga Downs (Nichols, NY)
To play, you’ll have to venture to the World Catskills in Monticello, NY, the Rivers Casino in Schenectady, the del Lago Casino in Tyre or the Tioga Downs which is situated west of Binghamton. If you’re in the city, the best option for sports bets at this time would be to pop on over the NJ to gamble.
Online Gambling NY: Sports
Once confined to a few locations around America, sports gambling has experienced a major shift after the federal sports betting ban was overturned in May 2018. Now, it is up to states to decide if they will legalize the activity or not. As I stated earlier online gambling in New York is currently prohibited and this extends to sports betting.NY has legalized sports betting but has yet to make a ruling as to whether or not to allow players to place bets from mobile devices. Recent reports suggest that wagering on sports in New York will, for the time being anyway, remain limited to physical sports bets. However, State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Queens) said that this doesn’t rule out mobile sports gambling in the future. Should New York online gambling laws change, we will update the info on this page.
Daily Fantasy Sports to Scratch Your Sports Itch
Sports fans do have one online gambling option in New York – Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). DFS contests are available in the state, but there is a debate about whether DFS actually counts as sports gambling or not. Most have agreed that these sports contests involve enough skill/knowledge that they don’t qualify as sports betting. Until an official ruling is made, the nation’s top DFS operators still offer their products to New Yorkers.
Online Poker
Online poker, like other forms of online gambling in New York, is currently illegal. It is possible to play online at one of the popular online poker rooms, but it is not allowed to play for real money. If you’d like to gamble in New York with a poker game, you’ll need to go to a commercial casino. Social games or casino nights are allowed, but you aren’t allowed to make a profit when playing.
Popular NY Poker Events
Recently the World Poker Tour announced the first ever Deep Stacks event in New York. The event will take place at the Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, NY. 2019’s event will require a buy-in of $1,100. The WPT also has a stop at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagra Falls, although on the Canadian side of the falls. Either way, it offers a good opportunity for skilled gamblers to play the popular card game.
Gambling on the New York State Lottery
The New York Lottery, founded in 1966, was the second lottery to be set up in an American state, The NY lottery is connected to the multi-state systems, so residents can play in the huge games like Powerball and Mega Millions. You have to buy tickets in person though, as online ticket sales have not yet been introduced or announced. Since 1967 the lottery has raised 64 billion USD for K-12 schools in New York. In this regard, the NY lotto is similar to that of other state lotteries in that it was set up as a way to generate funds for the state. Nearly 4.5 billion USD has been won as prizes by those gambling in NY on the lotto.
NY Gambling Overview
For a state that isn’t particularly known for its land-based betting options, especially considering Atlantic City is just a short stone’s throw away from NYC; the Empire State is a surprisingly lucrative gaming market. Those gambling in New York using slots spent nearly 40 billion USD in 2019 alone. This figure doesn’t even include table games at Indian Casinos, pari-mutuel horse bets and the Lotto. In addition, online gambling NY options are extremely limited, by that I mean nonexistent. If the laws changed, the market would generate even more money. Below you’ll be taken through the various New York laws governing online betting, the state’s history and how to gamble responsibly in the state.
Important New York Gambling Laws
The first New York gambling law was passed in 1656 when the territory was still under Dutch control. New Netherlands (NY’s name at the time), banned all gambling on the Sabbath. During the revolution, the British outlawed lotteries after it was discovered that they were used to help fund the rebel cause. After independence, convicted lottery patrons were pardoned.
The State’s first constitutions did not mention gambling until 1821 and the modern prohibition of the activity started in 1894. Since that year, a few key amendments were implemented in the years 1939, 1957, 1966, and 1975, which legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, charitable bingo, the State Lottery for Education and charitable gaming respectively.
The first Indian casinos in NY emerged after the passage of the 1993 constitutional amendment, authorized the creation of casinos on native land. 2011 experienced a step backwards when US Federal law banned all online gambling. In 2013 the state finally permitted commercial casinos, however, there are not many in NY. The biggest change in recent year to the gambling laws of New York, is the legalization of sports betting. The state is currently rolling out its first legal sports betting infrastructure.
In terms of laws that are going to affect the individual gambler. The legal gambling age in New York is 18+ years of age. However, many gambling locations have limited their customers to 21+ so that they can legally serve alcohol on the game room floor without having to worry too much. The New York State gambling winnings tax lies somewhere around 3% depending on the amount won.
Gambling Responsibly in New York
Although many New Yorkers have a healthy relationship to gambling, there are some players that may struggle with addiction. The Empire State has a few options for those who seek help. The body in charge of overseeing responsible gaming is the NY Council on Problem Gambling. The NYCPG has worked since the 70s to provide people with the help they need.
The Board’s website offers numerous resources including a gambling hotline. NY is an extremely diverse state, so the help found on the NYCPG website is available in nine different languages. Another suitable option for problem gamblers is Gamblers Anonymous. If you visit the website, you can find local help based on your specific area.For player’s who would like to quit betting, rather than foster a healthier relationship to the activity, the best option is probably voluntary self-exclusion. If you visit the New York State Gaming Commission website, you’ll find steps on how to exclude yourself from casinos, racetracks, the lottery and fantasy sports in NY State.
History of Gambling in New York State
Gambling in New York goes right back to the 1600s. Laws governing betting go back just about as far, with the first legislation concerning gambling in what is today New York State passed in 1656. This was merely to forbid betting on the Sabbath, in order to further religiosity in the territory of New Netherland. However, this only covered certain games, and was only regarding “church hours”, displaying the area’s relatively relaxed attitudes at the time.
From this early start, there have been dozens of pieces of law passed by the various governing authorities in the area. However, most have been to restrict certain practices, with no individual New York gambling statute or law outright forbidding gambling in general.
New York’s Constitution, ratified in 1894, restricted gambling rights heavily. However, since then there have been four important exceptions, allowing for betting within the State: pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, religious, charitable and non-profit bingo, State lottery, and finally an extension to the allowance for religious and non-profit gambling to include games of chance.
Famous Gamblers from the Empire State
When people think about famous gamblers, they are not thinking about a guy who won big spinning the reels, or a successful sport better, they are thinking about poker players. During the first decade of the 21st Century, the world went nuts for poker. New broadcasting deals transformed the card game into one of the most popular spectator games on television. During the ‘poker boom’ a few stars emerged. Enthusiasts were drawn to the personalities and play styles of the world’s best card sharks. Below is some info about some of the most famous gamblers from New York
Erik Seidel
Erik Seidel is, without a doubt, the most celebrated poker player from the Empire State. For most players, winning a WSOP bracelet is a career accomplishment. Seidel, however, has won 8 throughout his career and has reached the final table a staggering 35 times. Erik’s first major bicvtory came in 1988 when he was the runner-up at the WSOP Main Event. Seidel sits atop the NY all time money list and 3rd in the global money list having earned himself over $35 million playing professionally. Currently, Seidel lives in Las Vegas.
Bryn Kenney
Bryn Kenney
Coming in at number two on the New York all-time money list is Bryn Kenney. Keeney has also eclipsed the $30mil mark throughout his career and is nearly 30 years Seidel’s junior. Kenney flaunts his New York roots proudly and can often be seen donning a Yankees or Knicks cap when on tour. Kenney has earned one gold bracelet in his career, which really puts Seidel’s accomplishments into perspective considering Kenney has earned nearly as much as Seidel, but not nearly as many bracelets. Kenney won the bracelet in 2014 after winning the $1,500 Mix Six-Handed event.
Key State Facts
As one of America’s most diverse and forward-thinking states, New York is one of the most desirable places to live in the world. At the center of all of this is of course, New York City, a thriving metropolis known as the ‘city that never sleeps’ packed with towering skyscrapers, busy streets and bullish New Yorkers. Below you can see some of the key New York state facts.
Population | 19,542,432 |
---|---|
Min. Income/month | $1,926.44 |
Largest Land-based Casino | Resorts World Casino |
Gambling Commissioner | NYS Gaming Commission |
Spoken Languages | English 67.9%, Spanish 15.5%, Chinese 3.3% |
Famous Sports Teams | New York Yankees, New York Giants, New York Knicks |
New York Tax Authority | Department of Taxation and Finance |
Link to the State Law | http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/lawssrch.cgi?NVLWO: |
Gambling Winning Tax | Up to 3% (depending on winnings amount) |
State Website Link | https://www.ny.gov/ |
New York Gamblers | Stu Ungar |
New York is famous worldwide for many things; hip hop music, street food and the nightlife. But some of the most popular things about NYC are its sports teams. Visit any country in the world and you’ll find a New York Yankees cap. New Yorkers are fanatical about their sports teams and the games they play.
Conclusion: Future Outlook of New York Gambling
As you can see above, New York doesn’t have the most restrictive of gambling laws, but the state is also far from being one of the most liberal gambling territories in the US. Players have a few legal gambling options in New York including Indian casinos, racinos, the Lottery, horse race betting and on-site sports betting. Only time will tell whether or not online gambling is in the cards for NY, but if trends continue, we are likely to see some liberalization of the New York state online gambling laws. Until this happens however, you won’t find any online gambling in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New York gambling laws seem to change week to week and the courts are experiencing a logjam when it comes to making decisions about gambling. This has led to a lot of confusion, and may players have asked us for some clarification. Below are the most common questions we receive with regards to New York gambling.
Does New York have casinos?
There are currently 25 casinos registered in the state of New York. Native American casinos make up the vast majority but there are also some dedicated commercial spaces in the city with gambling licences.
Can you gamble online in NY?
Gambling online is currently not yet legal in the state of New York. There are currently no licensed online casinos in the state, and it is a federal crime for a NY citizen to register and play at a site based outside of the state
Is sports gambling legal in New York?
Sports betting was made legal in May 2018 in the state of New York. However, the state has yet to see its first official sports bet be made. The regulation and monitoring of the industry is still being decided on a federal level which has delayed the issuing of licences.
Is Sports Betting Legal In New York?
New York sports betting has taken a turn in the right direction, but there’s still more work to do to catch up with its neighbors.
As of January 2019, New York State offers physical sportsbooks. The closest in-state option to New York City is Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, while most of the rest are located in Upstate New York toward Binghamton, Syracuse, and Albany.
However, the state has yet to legalize online sports betting. It’s currently being discussed as part of an emergency revenue-raising strategy in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. If authorization of online sports betting apps is included, we expect NY online sports betting apps to launch in 2021. If it isn’t, online sportsbooks won’t become a reality in New York until at least 2023.
Mobile Sports Betting In New York
According to State Senator Joseph Addabbo, the senator spearheading the campaign to bring mobile sports betting to New York, there is a possibility that mobile sports betting could become legal. In October 2020, NY Sports Day interviewed Sen. Addabbo about the chances and he seemed positive. Specifically, he hoped to see mobile sports betting in time for Super Bowl LV and March Madness.
Addabbo clearly recognizes the importance of mobile betting to the New York economy. New York online sports betting could help plug a multi-billion dollar budget deficit that has only been exacerbated during 2020. Mobile sports betting could bring in $900 million annually in state revenue.
Governor Cuomo, thus far, has stood in the way of progress on this front, finding any movement on gambling in New York State would require an amendment to the state Constitution. The mobile sports betting bill passed the state senate by a vote of 57-5, so at this point, Governor Cuomo’s signature is the final hurdle.
Current NY Online Sportsbook App Options
While waiting for mobile sports betting in New York, it is possible to sign up at these online sportsbooks in New York and bet in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
If you would like to place wagers online or via a sportsbook app, your best choice is to sign-up and deposit while in New York and cross the border into New Jersey or Pennsylvania to place your bets. New users at DraftKings get a 20% deposit bonus up to $1000. This is likely a faster option than going to any of the physical New York sportsbooks which are listed below.
A great option for NY players that are willing to travel to New Jersey to place bets. New users at Sugarhouse sportsbook get 100% up to $250 dollars with a 1x wager requirement. This is a great bonus for players looking for a solid sportsbook with an easy to get bonus.
Download In New York And Bet In New Jersey
Here are all of the mobile sportsbooks that licensed in New Jersey and available to New Yorkers once they are inside of New Jersey state lines:
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- PointsBet
- SugarHouse Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- William Hill
- 888 Sport
- Caesars Sportsbook
- FOX Bet
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook
- BetAmerica
- Bet365 NJ
- theScore Bet
- Borgata Sports
- Unibet Sport
All New York Sportsbook Locations
For the time being, New York sports betting locations are limited to casinos. Legally, New Yorkers cannot yet place a bet online or at an off-track betting (OTB) facility.
Here are all the locations currently accepting NY sports bets. We’ve also included whether there’s a New Jersey sportsbook app for those who find themselves in the Garden State.
Casino Sportsbook | Location | Distance From Manhattan | NJ App? |
---|---|---|---|
Resorts World Catskills | Monticello | 90.8 Miles | Bet365 |
Rivers Casino | Schenectady | 161 Miles | BetRivers Sportsbook |
Tioga Downs Casino | Nichols | 216 Miles | FanDuel Sportsbook |
Turning Stone | Verona | 254 Miles | Caesars Sportsbook |
Yellow Brick Road | Chittenango | 265 Miles | Caesars Sportsbook |
del Lago Resort | Waterloo | 276 Miles | DraftKings Sportsbook |
Point Place Casino | Bridgeport | 268 Miles | Caesars Sportsbook |
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino | Hogansburg | 370 Miles | FOX Bet |
Top 3 Best Sportsbooks In New York State
DraftKings Sportsbook
There is simply no avoiding the two most successful mobile sportsbook apps, FanDuel and DraftKings. They’re producing successful results in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania that hit too close to home for New York to ignore.
In fact, DraftKings currently operates a sportsbook app in seven of the legal online betting states. Now, success in other states notwithstanding, DraftKings has an affiliation on their side. DraftKings sportsbook app in New Jersey is under the sports betting license of Resorts World.
This is the same Resorts World that operates three casinos in New York. One of their locations is the Resorts World Catskills, and it’s one of the legal sportsbook venues in New York.
Due to DraftKings’s massive customer base, proven track record, and ties to current New York sportsbook operations, they’re at the top of any list of candidates for New York mobile sportsbook app providers.
Plus, the DraftKings app in other states is currently pushing $1,000 worth of new accounts and first deposit incentives, so it can’t come soon enough.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has just as strong a chance of gaining access to New York’s mobile sports betting market as its daily fantasy sports (DFS) rival DraftKings. They’re currently operating successful mobile sportsbook apps in five states, with bordering New Jersey and Pennsylvania being two of them.
One of the current physical FanDuel sportsbook locations in New York is at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort. FanDuel provides all sportsbook operations at this venue.
Already having skin in the New York sports betting game should certainly bode well for FanDuel. And the fact that they have overwhelmed their competition right across the border in New Jersey will be a huge factor as well.
FanDuel and DraftKings have a huge sportsbook app presence already established across the country. One or both operate in nearly every state where online betting is legal, and their DFS platforms are the far and wide leaders. They also provide the logistic platform for a number of brick-and-mortar sportsbook facilities, including at a couple of New York sportsbooks.
When FanDuel does launch its sportsbook app, FanDuel will almost certainly pass along the same $500 risk-free first bet opportunity it offers in other states.
Rivers Sportsbook
BetRivers doesn’t have the kind of name recognition as FanDuel and DraftKings. But their mobile app is offered in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado.
So whenever New York decides to allow online sports betting, you can expect the BetRivers app to be one of the choices.
In the meantime, you can head to Schenectady, NY; Philadelphia, PA; or Pittsburgh, PA to experience the Rivers Sportsbook in person. It’s the same odds you’ll find on their highly popular sports betting website. And you can use the odds picker to make your selection ahead of time.
At the Schenectady location, you can bet via 14 self-serve kiosks or six betting windows. They have close to two dozen TVs, luxury seating, and food and drink service.
Not too shabby, but we’re holding out for the online version. In New Jersey, the BetRivers app will double your first deposit up to $250.
The Recent History Of New York State’s Sports Betting Legislation
Brick-And-Mortar Sportsbooks
New York’s legislators approved regulations for sports betting at physical locations in January 2019.
After watching New Jersey’s success, lawmakers realized that revenue was simply walking across the proverbial state line. When Pennsylvania legalized sportsbooks, the problem compounded. The idea that New York would hand over much-needed financial revenue seemed senseless to all residents and sports fans alike.
Nevertheless, it took roughly a year to open the first sportsbook. But in October 2019, folks in Upstate New York could finally place legal sports bets.
Even though New York was the 14th state to permit sports betting, it restricted sportsbook venues to four upstate casinos. They included no provisions in the legislation for mobile betting. Many were scratching their heads at this development.
Online Sportsbooks Apps
While lawmakers saw the success of other states that came before them, they seemed to ignore the numbers. In June 2019, Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. attempted to amend the sports betting bill to include online wagering.
The bill passed the New York Senate by a 57 to 5 vote. However, Governor Cuomo vetoed the bill. There was overwhelming support for an online amendment to the final sports betting legislation, but Cuomo publicly said he would not approve it.
To date, there seems to be little progress toward opening up New York to mobile sports bettors. New Jersey specifically showed tremendous promise from each licensed sportsbook app operating in the state. Eighty percent of the betting revenue was generated online.
Why So Much Resistance From The Governor?
The path to legal sports betting in New York was bumpy. Clearly, the process of including mobile sportsbook apps is proving even more difficult. Nearly all the resistance comes from the governor’s office. Most who hope to change his mind are at a loss for any actual reason.
Governor Cuomo’s black eye in a battle with two prominent sportsbook players, FanDuel and DraftKings, may be part of the issue. Cuomo lost that battle to have each of these daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies ruled illegal in his state, and both offer DFS in NYS today.
While there is no direct evidence pointing to any personal animosity, it would seem his resistance to online sports betting is a reality. And some assume it stems from his administration’s legal defeat.
As New York faces extreme financial hardship due to COVID-19 and other factors, it would seem like a time to put petty differences aside. And there is some hope from the final outcome of the New York vs. DFS legal squabble.
The governor ultimately did sign the law in August 2016, which ruled that daily DFS contests are not a form of gambling. There were rumors that Cuomo was going to veto that bill, but he didn’t.
Regardless, since The United States Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting in 2013, New York’s highest office has displayed reluctance toward welcoming mobile sportsbook operations with open arms. In fact, it’s been essentially a no-go proposition.
In his defense, Cuomo insists that legal mobile sports betting would require amending the New York State Constitution. Despite a collective bipartisan disagreement on that being legal truth, that’s really the only bonafide reason the governor presented.
The governor also floated the idea that he had reservations about everyone being able to bet from their phone. During a radio interview, Cuomo wasn’t pressed on his reasoning behind that substance-lacking excuse.
Problem gambling in his state seemed to be the impetus behind his concerns. However, lawmakers have already visited this problem inside the legislation. The bill to amend the legal sports betting law included 14 points to deal with problem gambling issues.
While lawmakers have apparently tried to dot all their i’s and cross all their t’s, Cuomo still voices resistance to mobile sportsbooks. However, the staff at the New York Treasurer’s Office may be whispering to him that a new wind of change needs to be in the air.
Could Change Be In The Air?
New York was in bad financial straits before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the state is staring down the face of bankruptcy after COVID-19 has devastated its already bleak monetary outlook.
There isn’t a single state currently allowing legal sports bets that hasn’t benefited financially from the decision. New York lawmakers realized that when they agreed to open physical locations.
Nevertheless, there is no disputing the massive amount of betting handle that is wagered using mobile devices. Reports surfaced last year that Senator Addabbo was pushing his mobile app legislation, and 84 lawmakers supported the idea.
The only hope for legalization in 2020 is if mobile sports betting is part of a bill to prevent bankruptcy. While it could still be vetoed by Cuomo, the state may be desperate enough for him to put his concerns aside.
Can New Yorkers Bet Using New Jersey Sports Betting Apps?
New Jersey is one of the most liberal states when it comes to online gambling. They currently offer online sportsbooks, online casinos, and poker sites, which covers all the bases.
On the online sports betting front, New Jersey has at least 17 different sportsbook options. The state also does not require you to register in-person, which means you can download the app and sign up for an account from New York State (or anywhere else in the country).
However, you do need to be physically located in New Jersey to place a bet through the online sportsbooks.
Physical New York Sportsbooks Are Online In New Jersey
As painful as that fact may be, all the top sportsbooks in New York State are available to bettors in the Garden State – and they don’t need to leave home to wager. But there’s good news.
If you’re willing to enter New Jersey to bet, you can participate in the welcome bonuses, place bets, and withdraw your winnings despite being an NYS resident. The only requirements are that you’re at least 21 years old and you’re within New Jersey state lines.
Is It Legal For New Yorkers To Bet In New Jersey?
Yes, it is completely legal for you to travel to New Jersey and bet online. You don’t even need to leave your car. Just make sure location tracking is turned on in the app, pull over somewhere safe, place your bet, then head on home.
If you’re closer to the New Jersey border than you are to a New York sportsbook, this is likely the easiest way to place a legal bet. The same is true for New York State residents who live close to the Pennsylvania border.
New York Sports Betting: Everything You Can And Can’t Bet On
Sports You Can Bet On In New York
You can bet on all forms of professional and out-of-state collegiate sporting events listed at the sportsbook. You can also bet on international competitions, from Korean baseball to French soccer.
The most popular sporting events for folks in New York include:
- Super Bowl
- World Series
- NCAA March Madness
- The World Cup
The professional New York and New Jersey teams that inspire the most betting are:
- New York Knicks
- Brooklyn Nets
- New York City FC
- New York Mets
- New York Rangers
- Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Sabres
- New York Islanders
- New Jersey Devils
Sports Wagers Not Offered In New York By Law
You cannot bet on in-state college athletics in New York State. That means powerhouses like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Army are strictly off-limits.
You also can’t bet on high school sports or any sport with participants under the age of 18 (like esports).
What Are The Types Of Sports Bets Available In New York?
As long as you’re not betting on in-state colleges and universities, everything else is fair game. You can bet as much as the sportsbook is willing to accept as well. And you should be able to wager for as little as $1.00 or less.
The specific types of bets might depend on the sportsbook. But all of the sports betting outlets in New York State offer the following options:
- Moneyline
- Points Spread
- Totals (Over/Under)
- Futures
- Prop Bets
- Parlays/Accumulators
All New York sportsbooks also offer in-game (AKA live) betting, where you can place a bet on a game after it’s begun.
Beyond those options, things get a bit more nuanced. Specific sports have specific types of bets. For example, the Grand Salami for hockey. Some sportsbooks will offer teasers and pleasers, others won’t.
You can call ahead to see what’s on offer before driving to a casino. Many sportsbooks also have a “bet builder” tool on their website so you can determine your bets ahead of time.
Are There Bonuses At Physical Sportsbooks In New York?
No, not in the same sense as an online sportsbook bonus. The casino may have some promotional offers, such as a spin for a prize when you sign up for their reward program.
But the “first deposit” and “risk-free” bet offered by Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are not offered at the physical location. When online sports betting comes to New York, you’ll have your pick of numerous bonus offers.
However, it’s still worthwhile to sign up for the rewards programs. You can earn points that can be used toward hotel stays, tickets to shows, free meals, and other special offers.
Is It Worth It To Use Illegal Sports Betting Sites?
No. Some people will beg to differ with us on that, but it’s just not.
Offshore betting sites are breaking New York State law. In fact, their lack of oversight allows them to offer their services practically anywhere. The question is: What else can these websites do with impunity? When a bettor doesn’t have any real recourse if there’s a dispute, that’s an unsafe betting site, period.
What’s to say your personal information is safe? Will you be paid out your winnings? Are the bonus terms and conditions reasonable, or are they designed to rip you off?
What Is The Gambling Age In New York States
You can do research, read reviews, and weigh the risks. But at the end of the day, isn’t gambling risky enough? Do you really want to add potentially joining an illegitimate website into the mix?
It’s understandable that someone might consider offshore alternatives. If you just want to put ten bucks on the game you’re watching, it’s probably not worth it to get in the car and drive to Chittenango, NY, or the New Jersey border.
But the safest answer isn’t to join an illegal site. The safest choice is to not bet on the game.
Remember to Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you think you have a gambling problem.
Sports Betting In NY – Common Questions
Yes. In January 2019, New York State legalized sports betting, and the first locations opened in October 2019. New York currently prohibits online sports betting in every form except for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). But New York residents can travel to New Jersey or Pennsylvania to legally place online sports bets.
Technically, yes. But no casino in New York City offers sports betting, and OTB facilities cannot host sports betting.
In fact, the state’s largest casino, Resorts World at JFK Airport, does not host a sportsbook.
That means New Yorkers need to travel upstate or into neighboring states to place a legal sports bet.
If you are physically located within New Jersey, you are able to place online bets via any of the New Jersey sportsbook apps. You are allowed to sign-up and deposit while in New York but sports betting apps check your location (via GPS) when placing a bet.
What Is The Gambling Age In New York State Prison
We estimate that NY online sports betting would bring $900 million dollars in annual revenue and up to $1.3 billion if skins are allowed. New York would quickly become one of the largest online sports betting markets in the United States.
Between 18 and 21. At New York State tribal casinos, the gambling age is 18. At commercial casinos, the gambling age is 21. You’ll still need to be 21 at the tribal casinos to purchase alcohol or gain access to some events.
Yes. But not if any of the competitors are under the age of 18, which may be why you rarely find esport contests listed at American sportsbooks.
The most prominent professional teams employ the best players in the world, many of which are under 18. But it is possible to see bets on the highest profile tournaments, such as the League of Legends World Championship.
All professional and collegiate level sports except for in-state schools. You can bet on all major leagues in the US and internationally. All NCAA contests are also fair game unless they involve schools like Syracuse, Buffalo, and so on. You cannot bet on amateur or high school sports, the weather, TV, or politics either.
Yes, as long as no in-state schools are playing. That means most Division 1 NCAA schools are fair game. And if you are betting on out-of-state schools, you should be able to place all the same bets as you would on a professional sport, including in-game betting.
But betting on college football games that feature Syracuse, Buffalo, Army, or any other in-state school are explicitly not allowed.
Yes. You’ll need to pay the 24% federal income tax as well as New York income tax on net gambling winnings. This includes anything won at the casino, sportsbook, or lottery. You also may need to pay an additional city tax depending on where you live in the New York Metropolitan Area.
Yes, the physical DraftKings Sportsbook has a presence in New York. You can find the DraftKings sportsbook at del Lago Resort, which is located in the Finger Lakes region.
DraftKings does not yet have an app available in New York. They’ll need to wait until the state greenlights online sports betting.
Yes. The FanDuel Sportsbook is available in Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, New York, a racino that offers both casino games and sports betting as well as on-site horse racing.
However, the FanDuel Sportsbook app can only be used if you travel to Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where online sports betting is legal.