While live poker has traditionally been restricted to backroom clubs in the heart of New York City, moves are afoot to regulate online poker for NY residents AND introduce major new land-based casinos in the state. Soon, you'll be able to play at legal poker sites in New York that are regulated by the state. The act of playing online poker in the state of New York is legal at the federal level. On the state level, it is not considered legal or illegal but rather something that falls into a gray-area. You can argue for, or against online poker all you want but unless you've got some evidence, everything is hypothetical.
Online Poker Legislation Introduced in New York
February 4, 2019 — New York is set to take up the discussion of legalized online poker in 2019. A recent bill introduced by Senator Joseph Addabbo calls for the licensing of online poker. This would make playing poker...
Online Poker could soon become legal in New York in 2019
January 15, 2019 — Some people get enthusiastic at the thought of online poker becoming legalized in the state of New York. In fact, they recently introduced a new bill at the state Senate level where they will try to...
New York Wraps Up Session Without Passing Poker Legislation
June 25, 2018 — It is another year gone by in the New York state legislature without any major changes made to the legalization of gambling. It appears that legislators are simply unwilling to move the legislation ...
New York To Join The Poker Party
January 14, 2018 — The game of online poker in the United States hangs in the balance in certain ways based on what New York State decides to do. People in the United States have been playing online poker legal or oth...
New York Senate Votes in Favor of Bill that would Legalize Online Poker, Passes 53 to 5
June 20, 2016 — Last Tuesday, June 14, the New York State Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor for Bill S05302D, at 53 for, 5 against. The bill would allow some variations of online poker to circumvent New York l...
Regulated Online Poker One Step Closer To Reality In New York
June 11, 2016 — Online poker players are currently abuzz with news and information about an online poker regulation bill working it's way through the New York State Senate at the moment. It is a measure that has be...
New York might bring online poker to the table
May 25, 2015 — The state of New York seems to be the next US state trying to regulate online poker. This is the second time for the Empire State in the last three years to receive a bill from New York State S...
New poker bill introduced in the state of New York
May 8, 2014 — New York State Assemblyman J Gary Pretlow, Chairman or the Committee on Racing and Wagering has introduced a bill that would regulate online poker in the state of New York, which is a virtual repl...
Bill S6913 could legalize online poker in New York
April 1, 2014 — New York State Senator John J. Bonacic introduced last week the S6913 bill that could legalize online poker in the state, with a proposed tax rate of 15% on gross gaming revenues. The ratifi...
Playing poker games for real money is legal in New York but only if done in gambling facilities licensed by the state. Since the state has not regulated online poker, those looking to play a few hands online will not find any legal poker sites operating in New York. In the absence of proper laws to regulate online poker, residents can legally register at online poker sites.
This page discusses the legalities of playing land-based and online poker in New York. Besides citing reasons why playing poker, both on land and at online poker rooms, is legal in New York, we have listed several legal online poker rooms for New York players.
None of New York’s laws specifically state that playing poker at offshore poker sites is illegal. Since the state cannot prosecute residents for breaking laws that do not exist, one can safely state that it is safe and legal for residents to play poker online at New York friendly online poker rooms.
Residents will not find any legal poker sites licensed and regulated by New York because the state does not issue online poker licenses. It is illegal for operators to run online poker businesses within the state’s jurisdiction.
Learn More:Gambling Laws + Statutes In New York
Best Online Poker Rooms That Take New York Residents
We have listed the best online poker sites that accept New York players on this page. We have carefully researched these online poker rooms and found them all to be licensed and regulated. The highlights of these online poker rooms include excellent customer service, 100 percent security, fair gaming, generous bonuses, and lucrative promotions.
New York Online Poker Legalization
| Rank | Legal Poker Sites | Bonus Rewards | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BetOnline Poker | Up To $1,000 Free / 200% Match | Visit BetOnline |
| 2 | SportsBetting Poker | Triple Up On First Deposit To $1,000 | Visit SportsBetting |
Where Can I Play Poker In-Person In New York?
New York offers some legal ways to play real money poker. New York poker players can legally play online poker for cash at licensed Indian casinos. Since social gambling in New York is not outlawed, residents can organize and participate in home poker games as long as they make sure that nobody profits from those games. Currently, there are no charity poker tournaments in the state of New York.
Poker Laws In New York
New York poker laws are quite simple. Playing poker for real money is legal only in state-licensed gambling facilities, not under any other circumstances. Since the law permits home poker games, players can legally take part in such private games. The law is quite lenient toward players, and so far, the state has not prosecuted any resident for playing poker illegally. However, operators of illegal poker outfits will have to face several charges, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
New York State Online Gambling Laws
New York is interested in online poker legalization since it sought clarification regarding the Wire Act of 1961 from the Department of Justice (DoJ), shortly after which the DoJ clarified that the Wire Act does not apply to online poker and online casino gaming. Governor Cuomo is very eager to expand the state’s casino gaming options. Since the state is densely populated and gambling friendly, LegalGamblingNewYork thinks it is likely to legalize online poker in the near future.