Legalized online casino gambling could be coming to The Empire State in the near future. Following the state’s legalization and launch of online sports betting on January 8, 2022, Senator Joseph Addabbo recently introduced Senate Bill 8412, a piece of legislation centered around bringing regulated interactive gaming to the state of New York. SB 8412 would put New York in a similar position as other states that have legalized online casino gaming over the past few years, meaning that only land-based casino operators would receive direct market access if SB 8412 is eventually passed.
Sen. Addabbo’s proposed bill would allow for up to two (2) mobile skins per land-based casino. Each land-based casino operator would be required to pay a one-time licensing fee of $2 million, while third party operators interested in pairing their online brand with a casino partner are looking at an additional $10 million in fees. Online operators will be permitted to use their own brands, however much like what we’ve seen over in Pennsylvania, the land-based casino’s branding must be clearly displayed on the online brand’s mobile app.
Unlike New York’s preposterous 51% tax rate on mobile sports betting, SB 8412 suggests a much more reasonable 25% rate for online casino gaming. In comparison to other states, 25% would fall right in the middle of the pack.
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Which New York online casinos are legal?
While online casino gaming has not yet been legalized in New York, it is possible to play on a sweepstakes casino while in New York.
New York’s online casino market is still very much a work in progress, the state is already home to its fair share of land-based casinos. As prefaced above, each of New York’s brick-and-mortar casinos would be eligible to host up to two (2) online skins if SB 8412 were to go into effect. The suitors for these skins still remain to be seen, however context clues tell us the following iGaming brands may eventually surface in The Empire State:
| NY Online Casino | NY Casino Partner | NY Launch |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Casino NY | Resorts World Catskills (est.) | TBD |
| BetMGM Casino | TBD | TBD |
| BetRivers Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Caesars Casino NY | Points Place, Turning Stone, Yellow Brick Road (est.) | TBD |
| DraftKings Casino | del Lago Resort (est.) | TBD |
| FanDuel Casino NY | Tioga Downs (est.) | TBD |
| Golden Nugget NY | Tioga Downs (est.) | TBD |
| PointsBet Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Resorts World Bet | TBD | TBD |
| Stars Casino NY | Akwesasne Mohawk Casino (est.) | TBD |
| WynnBET Casino | TBD | TBD |
New York retail casinos
Let’s get into who the popular retail casinos are, and what you need to know about them.
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort
Owned and operated by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort has been serving players in New York since its grand opening in 1999. The building underwent over $70 million in renovations in 2011 and continues to provide players with the best casino gaming experience possible to this day. Fully equipped with over one-thousand different slot machines, endless table games, and a retail sportsbook, this brick-and-mortar is an ideal pairing for any online brand in search of a casino partner.
The Stars Group Inc., the parent company behind the FOX Bet sportsbook app, agreed to terms with the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in July of 2019 to obtain market access in the state of New York. The deal would allow TSG to provide their sports betting, casino, and poker services to New Yorkers through one of the property’s available online skins. Once online casino games become a reality in New York, a partnership with TSG, and a Stars Casino NY, makes a lot of sense.
del Lago Resort & Casino
Proudly hosting casino-goers from Syracuse, Rochester, and everywhere in between since 2017, the del Lago Resort & Casino is one of the newer land-based properties to surface in New York. It was one of four upstate casinos originally approved to operate in The Empire State as a part of former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to implement state-licensed casinos to compete with the state’s Native American tribal operations.
Located in Waterloo, the del Lago is home to over one-thousand slot machines, a wide spread of table games, and numerous poker tables. But that’s not even the best part – the resort boasts its very own DraftKings Sportsbook at del Lego, fully loaded with multiple betting windows and kiosks, real-time live odds boards, and 1K square feet of LED TV screens. With a clear connection to DraftKings already in place, it wouldn’t be out of the question to expect the sportsbook titan to partner with del Lago as an online casino skin in the near future.
It was reported on February 24, 2022 that the del Lago Resort & Casino was sold to Churchill Downs Incorporated, one of the biggest names in horse racing and the owners of the Kentucky Derby’s host site. It remains to be seen which companies could occupy the online skins at del Lago following the sale, as the deal happened right around the same time that CDI announced they will no longer be pursuing their online sports betting or casino ventures.
Point Place Casino
Point Place is yet another tribal casino located in upstate New York. The property first began construction in 2017 and was ready less than 10 months later for its grand opening on March 1, 2018. Proudly operated by the Oneida Indian Nation since its unveiling, Point Place Casino provides residents of the Bridgeport area with a 65,000 square foot gaming floor accompanied by various restaurants and bars.
The property’s in-house sportsbook, The Lounge with Caesars Sports, suggests a potential partnership down the road between Caesars and Point Place, however it is nothing more than speculation at this point with Caesars also having ties to the Turning Stone Resort & Casino and Yellow Brick Road Casino.
Resorts World Catskills
Resorts World Catskills is a hotel and casino located within the Catskills region of New York state. The 18-story hotel first opened its doors on February 8, 2018, and now boasts more than 2,000 slot machines, over one hundred table games, and most recently rolled out its very own Resorts WorldBET mobile sports betting app.
Back in November 2018, the hotel’s parent company, Empire Resorts Inc., agreed to partake in a strategic alliance with European bookmaker bet365. The partnership was dubbed the “Sports Wagering Agreement” and involved the two brands combining forces in hopes of establishing “New York’s premier sports betting and online gaming option.”
With bet365 already locked in longterm, and Resorts WorldBET launching in New York to kick off 2022, it appears as though this location is fully booked and likely won’t be searching for new tenants anytime soon.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady
This Rush Street-owned casino & resort hosted its first customers on February 8, 2017 and has been booming ever since. The Schenectady Rivers property offers guests tons of ways to play, including countless casino games, a loaded poker room, and their state-of-the-art luxury-styled Rivers Sportsbook. The book is absolutely packed to the gills, featuring a 53′ LED video wall, 22 additional television screens, and 14 betting kiosks.
BetRivers, Rush Street’s most popular mobile gambling arm, was one of the first four online sportsbooks to launch in New York, in partnership with Rivers Casino Schenectady. Considering the brand already offers online casino services in legalized states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, it is almost certain that BetRivers Casino NY will eventually occupy the first of this location’s two online skins.
The Schenectady casino’s second online skin has also already been claimed. It will belong to none other than Penn National Gaming, after a strategic partnership with Rivers Casino was announced on February 22, 2021. The 20-year deal secured both sports betting and online casino market access in New York for PNG, who will aim to bring their popular Barstool Sportsbook app and iCasino to The Empire State in the near future.
Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino
The Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino is one of three New York tribal casino resorts owned and operated by the Seneca Nation of Indians. The Allegany location was the second of three put into action, first opening its doors on May 1, 2004 as the Seneca Allegany Casino. The property reopened on March 30, 2007 as the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, now featuring a brand new hotel on top of their in-house gaming operations.
After a series of renovations in 2012, the resort now features more than 400 hotel rooms, six restaurants, two nightlife venues, and over 60,000 square feet of gaming space.
The Seneca Nation of Indians has not announced any market access partnership deals with an iGaming provider via their Allegany location. In fact, all three Seneca-owned properties are the only land-based casinos in the state that have yet to get involved with either sports betting or online casino gaming.
Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
The Seneca Niagara Casino was the first Class III gaming facility built and opened for business by the Seneca Nation of Indians. The casino property was first unveiled on December 31, 2002 and would have a 26-story luxury hotel added on three years later in 2005. Since then, the location has experienced great success, offering over 4,000 slot machines and nearly 100 table games. The Niagara location is the largest hotel in the state of New York outside of Manhattan.
Much like the other Seneca-owned casinos, there hasn’t been a ton of chatter as far as which brands could end up collaborating with the Seneca Nation in some sort of market access partnership.
Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
The third and final Seneca casino property first surfaced in July 2007, but wouldn’t take its final form until nearly six years later. After opening a temporary location and undergoing two expansions in 2008 and 2010, the Seneca Nation went ahead and unveiled a brand new, $130 million casino project in March 2012. This would eventually lead to the grand opening of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino on August 27, 2013, and the rest is history.
The new and improved Buffalo Creek Casino is fully equipped with 67,000 square feet of gaming space and its very own in-house sportsbook, The Sports Lounge at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.
The Seneca Gaming Corporation agreed to partner with worldwide wagering supplier Kambi in 2019 to provide their state-of-the-art sports betting technology to each of the three Seneca-operated New York casinos. The deal also involves Bragg Gaming, a gaming provider that will also contribute to the Seneca Nation’s sportsbook and gaming services. Despite the deal, each of the three casino properties still appear to have available openings for their online skins.
Tioga Downs
Tioga Downs originated as a quarterhorse racing track in 1976, formerly known as Tioga Park. The track was a massive failure, closing up shop less than three years after opening. The property was revived nearly 30 years later by racing enthusiast Jeffery Gural, when the newly-named Tioga Downs racino officially opened its doors for the first time ever on June 9, 2006. It was an immediate success, offering players endless ways to bet, numerous eateries, and even the occasional concert. The Tioga Downs hotel resort was added on to the property in 2017.
Present day, Tioga Downs hosts various horse racing events at its standardbred track on weekends between May and September. The racino is loaded with gaming options, from keno to video poker to slot machines. The location’s FanDuel Casino & Sportsbook at Tioga Downs Casino Resort offers guests a world-class sports betting experience, with all of the amenities necessary to host more than 50 customers at a time.
In February 2021, Golden Nugget Online Gaming agreed to a 20-year deal with Tioga Downs that would allow GNOG to launch a brand new online casino app in New York, once legalized. With Golden Nugget already locked into an agreement with this location and FanDuel occupying their retail sportsbook, it appears as though Tioga Downs won’t be in search of any online skin suitors anytime soon.
Turning Stone Resort & Casino
The Turning Stone Resort & Casino is one of two brick-and-mortars owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation. Located right smack in the middle of the state in Verona, this facility cut down its ceremonial ribbons on July 20, 1993 and has been serving New Yorkers ever since. Prior to the construction of the Seneca Niagara Casino in 2002, the Turning Stone Resort & Casino was the only land-based casino in the state.
The Turning Stone’s biggest claim to fame has to be their world-class golf offerings, including professional-quality playing courses and an indoor golf dome. The resort also includes an RV park, various walking trails, an arcade, restaurants, spas, and just about any casino game you can think of.
The Lounge with Caesars Sports currently occupies Turning Stone’s retail sportsbook after the two entities agreed to a deal in early 2019. With Caesars already marking its territory at various New York casinos, it remains to be seen which location the company will use to run its online casino operations, if and when they launch in the state.
Yellow Brick Road Casino
The Yellow Brick Road Casino is the Oneida Indian Nation’s second brick-and-mortar casino, this one based in Chittenango, New York. Yellow Brick Road originally opened for business in 2015, but temporarily closed in 2019 to undergo an expansion project. The casino reopened shortly after in February 2020 and has been fully operational since, now featuring a six-lane bowling alley, two TopGolf bays, a full service bar, and more.
Accompanying the Yellow Brick Road’s loaded casino floor is their Vegas-style sportsbook, The Lounge with Caesars Sports. It’s the largest physical book in the Empire State, filled with dozens of stadium recliners, a full sports bar with hightop counter seating, and seven VIP fan caves that guests can reserve for gamedays. Much like its Oneida-owned counterpart, Turning Stone, it remains a mystery as to which brands may occupy their available online skins.
Who is eligible to play on New York online casinos?
Much like sports betting in The Empire State, there are two primary conditions that must be met in order to be deemed eligible to gamble in New York.
- Age: 21+. Just like the state’s age requirement for online sports betting, all players must be at least 21 years or older. No exceptions.
- Location: All players must be located within state lines in order to legally partake in online casino gaming. Again, just like the state’s online sports betting requirements, you must be able to successfully confirm your location within the app or website you are attempting to gamble with, or it simply will not work. Smartphone users will be able to do this with ease using their device’s built-in geolocation tracking software, while desktop users will be required to download an additional plug-in. Most online casino apps allow users to deposit, withdraw, or scroll through the app when outside of state lines, however in order to play real money casino games, you’ll need to be positioned inside the state itself.
Registering with an NY online casino
Creating a brand new account with a New York online casino is a fairly easy process. Unlike the requirements to play real money online casino games, players can sign up for an account from just about anywhere. Headed into New York City for a business trip? Once legal, you’ll be able to register from wherever you may be and have your account ready to go as soon as the plane touches down.
If you just so happen to be a local looking to get into some mobile iGaming for the first time, that’s perfectly fine too! Regardless of your situation, all new users will typically be asked to fill out the following personal information:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Home Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
Each and every fully legalized and regulated gambling operation in the United States – from mobile casinos, to sportsbooks, to racebooks – will require some variation, if not all of these personal details. The service providers use this info to confirm that you are who you say you are, in order to protect both the potential customer and the company themselves. All info provided to these companies will remain 100% safe, secure, and confidential at all times, so no need to fret!
Aside from providing the necessary info outlined above, expect to also come up with a password, pick a couple of security questions and answers to go along with them, and sometimes even create a username. Most online casino apps will allow you to login using your email address, however some opt for a username instead.
Lastly, always keep your eyes peeled for any open fields to enter a New York casino promo code, as this is usually going to be your ticket to claiming online casino bonuses together with some incredible new-user rewards. Once the NY market launches we’ll have all of the best in-state bonuses listed a little higher up on the page. Complete the registration process, and boom – you should be off and running, with a little extra ammo under your belt.
Banking with New York online casinos
The majority of New York online casino apps and websites will offer a wide range of different ways to deposit and withdraw funds from your account. This is one of the biggest perks of using a regulated platform, as they offer something for just about everyone. The available banking options will vary depending on the provider, however players should expect to find the following offered at most regulated online casinos:
- Credit/Debit Card: Typically only Visa or Mastercard. Some vendors will accept American Express or Discover, but they are much less common. Deposits only.
- PayPal: As one of the leading eWallet providers in the world, players can send money to and from their PayPal account faster than any other banking method. Deposits and withdrawals accepted.
- ACH/e-check: Much like an online bank transfer, ACH/e-check allows players to deposit or withdraw funds directly from their account. Deposited funds will come out of your account within 24-48 hours, similar to writing out a physical check.
- Play+ Prepaid Card: Players who experience difficulties when attempting to deposit with their bank’s debit card will often be required to sign up for a Play+ prepaid card. The card acts as a middleman between the player and the casino, essentially relaying the funds from one source to the other. All registrants will also receive a physical copy of the card in the mail that can be used to make real money withdrawals at any ATM.
- Online Bank Transfer: Simply log in using your online banking credentials and make fast, easy deposits!
- Skrill: Much like PayPal, Skrill is a popular eWallet provider, but isn’t offered by as many online casinos.
- Venmo: The popular money-sharing platform is starting to become more common in the iGaming space. Use it to fund your account just like you would use it to pay back a friend for lunch.
- Wire Transfer: Bank wire transfers require extra leg work by the customer and take longer to complete than other methods, but may be the best option for high-rollers looking to deposit large sums into their online casino account.
- PayNearMe: Offered at nearly every CVS, 7Eleven, or Family Dollar, PayNearMe allows players to scan a code on their smartphone, pay in cash at the register, and immediately receive the funds online. The main drawback here is that PayNearMe only allows for deposits, meaning you’ll need a second method in order to extract any funds.
- Cash at the casino cage: Most online casino apps offer in-person transactions at their designated brick-and-mortar casino partner. Show up, provide your account details, and deposit or withdraw using cold, hard cash.
NY casino bonuses and promo codes
One of the greatest advantages of playing casino games online as opposed to in person is that mobile apps and websites tend to reward players a little bit more than their retail counterparts. Sure, most land-based casinos will still offer new players some sort of sign-up bonus, usually in the form of bonus play, however these offers aren’t nearly as lucrative as the welcome bonuses offered online. The types of promotions offered will vary from brand to brand and can change throughout the course of the year, but will usually involve one of the following offers:
First Deposit Match
This promotional offer will match your first deposit, dollar for dollar. There will be a cap on how much of a bonus you can receive, but upload as much as you want (up to the max) to take advantage of the NY casino bonus offer.
Deposit matches are usually listed with a percentage, which is typically 100%. If less, the percentage describes how much of your initial deposit will be matched by the casino. Deposit matches are almost always paid out in the form of bonus funds, which come with a wagering requirement. Always be sure to check out your casino providers terms and conditions before opting into a deposit match, as you may need to wager more than you might realize before your funds are unlocked.
No-Deposit Bonus
A no-deposit bonus could be the best promotion of them all, as new players are rewarded just for signing up. Simply create your account, enter the correct NY casino promo code, and you’ll be off and running, equipped with some house money before even making your first deposit.
No-deposit bonuses can range anywhere from $10-30, which can turn into a lot rather quickly if played the right way.
Second Chance Play
Some online casinos opt to offer their new users a period of ‘Second Chance’ casino play to get acquainted with the brand and its platforms. The amount of time offered can vary, but will usually be around 24 hours, or one full day.
In order to get started, players will need to deposit their own funds. Any net losses after the ‘Second Chance’ period ends will be reimbursed in the form of bonus funds, which may carry a rollover requirement of their own. And remember, the total amount of net losses to be repaid is almost always capped at a specific amount, so be sure to read the terms before going too crazy at the tables!
New York online casino regulations
As highlighted above, there are a few rules and regulations surrounding Senator Addabbo’s proposed Senate Bill 8412, the legislation that hopes to bring regulated online casino gaming to New York. The bill still awaits consideration from the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, but if and when it eventually gets passed, it would require the following terms:
- Each land-based New York casino would be allowed to host up to two (2) mobile skins.
- Land-based casinos would be required to pay a one-time fee of $2 million, while third-party iGaming providers would be charged $10 million.
- Third-party operators can use their own branding, but would be required to display their land-based casino partner’s logo somewhere clearly on their app or website.
- All operators would be subject to paying a 25% tax on all gross iGaming revenue.
Why choose a regulated NY online casino?
There are more than enough reasons as to why all players will benefit from giving their business to a regulated New York online casino rather than an unregulated, black market operator or a local retail facility. This includes:
- Availability: Play anytime, from anywhere. Gaming on mobile gives the player the utmost availability. Simply whip out your phone and you’re ready to go.
- Stronger Bonuses: As mentioned above, mobile apps and websites offer much better new-user rewards than retail casinos. As more online casinos enter the space, the rewards will only improve as competition tightens.
- Lower Minimums: Play all of your favorite games online with buy-ins lower than ever! Retail casino table minimums can range anywhere from $10-15, but you can play on mobile for as low as 50 cents per hand!
- Play for Free: Most online casinos offer their players a test-run before getting into a game with real cash. There is usually a ‘demo’ option offered within each game, so take advantage of this opportunity and perfect your craft!
- Safe and Secure: Regulated online casinos are safe. You never have to worry about your funds going missing, your bets not being honored, or a software malfunction costing you a pot. All legal, licensed online casinos in New York will be as safe as playing in the casino they are licensed through.
History of NY online casinos
New York has a rich history of in-state gambling, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s when the state became the first ever to enact a constitutional ban on lotteries. It would eventually return in 1967, over a century later, when New Yorkers voted to approve an amendment that would allow the state to run a government-sanctioned lottery. As a result, The New York Lottery was born and has been a major success ever since.
As far as land-based betting options go, the state passed its first law to permit off-track wagering in 1970. Racinos would follow in 2001, when the state was given the green light to permit Video Lottery Terminals at numerous racetracks and Native American-owned casinos. These would be the only land-based betting options in New York until 2013, when the state finally legalized casino gambling. By 2018, the state had built and opened its fourth state-regulated brick-and-mortar casino, adding Resorts World Catskills to its packed roster of Rivers Casino Schenectady, del Lago Resort & Casino, and of course, the famous Tioga Downs.
In 2018, the state introduced its first legislation aimed at legalizing sports wagering, both in-person and through mobile. It would take nearly four years, but would eventually go live on January 8, 2022. This proved to be a major stepping stone in possibly getting mobile casino wagering legalized in the state, as discussions to do so would surface less than one month later.
On February 25, 2022, Senator Joseph Addabbo introduced Senate Bill 8412, a piece of legislation that would authorize iGaming and online casino play in New York, if passed. Only time will tell what is going to happen as far as a legalization goes, so stick around with USBets and check in frequently for any updates.
