Best Legal Casinos In New York
New York offers a mix of land-based casinos but hasn’t fully embraced online casinos that are regulated locally. However, anyone in NY can access online betting casino sites, which offer a way for New Yorkers to play slots or table games. Discover the aspects of the best legal casinos in New York so that you can safely enjoy your online casino gaming.
Are There Real Money Online Casinos In New York
Yes, New Yorkers can safely play at the best legal casinos. BetOnline is one of the few platforms accepting New York players to gamble online. An exciting mix of slots, sports betting, and table games, it’s the whole package.
Are Casinos In New York Legal
Casino gambling in New York is legal and regulated under the New York State Constitution and various statutes, including the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law (RWB) § 1301 et seq. The passage of the Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act in 2013 paved the way for commercial casinos, expanding the state's gambling landscape. The New York State Gaming Commission oversees all gambling activities that take place within New York borders. Any gambling activity from offshore casino sites falls under federal law, where they are oftentimes protected.
Best Legal Casinos In New York Near Major Cities
No matter what major city you’re in in NY, you can find a casino within an hour at worst. Most are only a few minutes away (from the downtown area) but all offer a choice of NY casinos to go to.
| City | Casino Name | Distance from City Center | Travel Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | Resorts World Casino NYC | 12 miles | 30 minutes | I-495 E, Grand Central Parkway |
| Manhattan | Empire City Casino | 15 miles | 30 minutes | Harlem River Drive, I-87 N |
| Downtown Buffalo | Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino | 2 miles | 5 minutes | Scott Street |
| Downtown Buffalo | Hamburg Gaming | 15 miles | 20 minutes | I-90 W |
| Downtown Buffalo | Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | 20 miles | 25 minutes | I-190 N |
| Downtown Rochester | Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack | 30 miles | 35 minutes | I-490 E, NY-96 S |
| Downtown Rochester | del Lago Resort & Casino | 45 miles | 50 minutes | I-90 W |
| Downtown Syracuse | Turning Stone Resort Casino | 35 miles | 45 minutes | I-90 E |
| Downtown Syracuse | Point Place Casino | 20 miles | 30 minutes | NY-5 W, NY-31 W |
| Downtown Syracuse | Yellow Brick Road Casino | 15 miles | 25 minutes | I-90 E, NY-5 E |
| Downtown Albany | Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady | 15 miles | 25 minutes | I-90 W, I-890 W |
| Downtown Albany | Saratoga Casino Hotel | 30 miles | 35 minutes | I-87 N |
Casinos Closest To New York Airports
A lot of the NY casinos listed above are also the ones that the closest to NY-based airports. But, whether you are about to leave or just got to town, there are options to gamble in every scenario.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York City
- Resorts World Casino New York City (5 miles, 10 minutes via NY-878 W and Belt Parkway W)
- Empire City Casino (25 miles, 45 minutes via Belt Parkway W and I-87 N)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino (10 miles, 20 minutes via NY-33 W)
- Hamburg Gaming (20 miles, 30 minutes via I-90 W)
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
- Turning Stone Resort Casino (35 miles, 45 minutes via I-90 E)
- Point Place Casino (25 miles, 35 minutes via I-81 N and NY-31 W)
- Yellow Brick Road Casino (25 miles, 35 minutes via I-481 S and NY-92 E)
Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
- Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (35 miles, 40 minutes via I-490 E and NY-96 S)
- del Lago Resort & Casino (50 miles, 55 minutes via I-90 W)
Casinos On The New York Border
Whether you’re a resident of another state trying to enter NY to bet or just want another experience, a few legal NY casinos aren’t far from the border. This means they take in a lot of action from gamblers all over the world and country.
| Border | Casino Name |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Border | Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, Tioga Downs Casino Resort |
| New Jersey Border | Resorts World Casino NYC, Empire City Casino |
| Connecticut Border | Resorts World Catskills |
| Canadian Border | Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino |
Casinos Outside Of NY But Easily Accessible
NY borders a few states with casinos, so finding one near a border town shouldn’t be an issue either. In Connecticut, the Foxwoods Resort Casino (about 20 miles from the border) is a popular choice for poker players and table game lovers. The Mohegan Sun is a little further too.
In New Jersey, Atlantic City will be the place to go. There are about a dozen casinos in this area but two of the most visited NJ casinos include the Hard Rock Hotel and Borgata Hotel. Either of these can be accessed by New Yorkers in about an hour and a half on the Garden State Parkway S.
NY Casinos Near Military Bases
Fort Drum (Watertown)
- Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort (100 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes via I-81 N and NY-37 E)
- Turning Stone Resort Casino (90 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes via I-81 S and I-90 E)
Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn)
- Resorts World Casino New York City (20 miles, 35 minutes via Belt Parkway E)
- Empire City Casino (25 miles, 45 minutes via Belt Parkway E and I-87 N)
Best Legal New York Casino Bonuses
There are a plethora of bonuses available for players while using the best legal casinos in New York. Many of these bonuses include deposit matches, where players are given credits either equal to or greater than those deposited, which can be used to play games and earn real money. Other bonuses may include free plays, such as wheel spins. Bonuses vary depending on the site. The best online casino bonus in New York is from Wild Casino, which is offering a 300% match on first deposits up to $3,000. Players can then get a 150% deposit match up to $1,500 on their following four deposits.
Best Deposit Methods For New York Online Casinos
In the bustling environment of New York, players demand online casino deposit methods that are as dynamic as the city itself. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Bitcoin, Tether, DOGE, and Litecoin are favored for their cutting-edge security and speed of transfer. Aligning with the city's forward-thinking mindset, credit cards remain a top choice due to their ubiquitous presence and the convenience of instant deposits. This is also true for money transfer apps like Zelle and PayPal, ensuring that from Manhattan to Buffalo, New Yorkers can dive into their online casino adventures without delay.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble At A Casino In New York
Players in New York must be at least 18 years old to play at in-person casinos and online offshore casinos. Any player under the age of 18 is not permitted to be on the gaming floor. Some casinos in New York that serve alcohol do not allow players under the age of 21 to enter.
Best Mobile Casinos In New York
BetOnline shines as the best mobile casino for players in New York, particularly due to its rewarding loyalty program. The program offers a range of incentives, including free spins, tournament entries, rebates, and cash rewards. This comprehensive rewards system ensures that players are continuously rewarded for gambling, no matter if its slots, table games, sports, or poker. These points can then be redeemed for various rewards, such as free spins on popular slot games, entries into exclusive tournaments with lucrative prize pools, cash rebates on losses, and bonus cash to boost your bankroll. In addition to its rewarding loyalty program, BetOnline offers seamless mobile gaming with a user-friendly interface, fast payouts, and responsive customer support.
Best Casino Apps Available To New York Players
Unlike New Jersey, New York has yet to regulate mobile casino apps. This means people in NYC must participate with apps by using social casinos like Chumba. With the opportunity to win real money prizes, these social casinos operate through sweepstakes laws, allowing players to play with virtual coins and earn chances to win cash prizes legally.
When Will Locally Regulated Online Casinos Be Legal in New York?
While online casinos have not yet been legalized at the state level in New York, this may be changing sooner rather than later. In February of 2025, New York Senator Joe Addabbo introduced a new bill that aims to legalize online casinos in New York. The bill has been assigned to the state’s Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee and is set to be voted on within the next few months. If the bill were to pass, locally regulated online casinos would be available for all New York citizens, likely with the age requirement being set at 21 years old, similar to the age requirement for in-person casinos.
Cruise Casinos In New York
New York City is a major cruise hub with several cruise lines having full casinos departing from various port destinations. The city’s cruise terminals are located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and nearby Bayonne, New Jersey.
| Port | Cruise Line | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Cruise Terminal | Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) | Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Transatlantic |
| Manhattan Cruise Terminal | Carnival Cruise Line | Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England |
| Manhattan Cruise Terminal | Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises | Various global destinations |
| Brooklyn Cruise Terminal | Princess Cruises | Caribbean, Canada & New England, Transatlantic |
| Brooklyn Cruise Terminal | Cunard Line | Transatlantic crossings, Caribbean, World Cruises |
| Cape Liberty Cruise Port | Royal Caribbean International | Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada & New England, Transatlantic |
| Cape Liberty Cruise Port | Celebrity Cruises | Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada & New England, Transatlantic |