Online Poker New York — Is It Legal? Get $5,000+ at the Best NY Poker Sites for Real Money

If you’re looking for some of the best online poker New York sites, you’ve come to the right page. New York carries a long poker tradition, with underground card rooms dating back to the early 19th century. Consequently, some of the most skillful poker players are from New York.

The tradition lives on, and many New Yorkers are interested in playing the most important card game in the world on the web. If you’re one of them, please keep reading this comprehensive guide. We’ll suggest and review some of the leading online poker sites currently available in New York, discuss your land-based options, and the legal framework for playing poker in NY. Read on.

New York Online Poker Gambling at a Glance

New York has recently seen a boom in online sports betting and has many legal retail card rooms and casinos; domestic online poker is still not legal in the state. A brief overview of the poker landscape in the Empire State is provided below:

• Legal Poker: Inland (in-person only), Online (offshore sites only)
• Minimum Age to Play Poker in New York: 21 (inland), 18 (through offshore sites)
• Offline Poker Rooms: Yes, over 10
• Online Poker Sites: Offshore only
• Estimated Poker Revenue: $2.03 billion annually, including casino games
• Permitted Online Domestic Poker Operators: N0t applicable
• Licensing Fee: Not applicable
• Tax Rate: Not applicable
• Tax Funded: Not applicable

The Best Online Poker New York Sites

First of all, let’s check some of the best New York online poker sites. After in-depth research and creating a stringent vetting process, we narrowed down the selection to the following platforms. Each of the sites provides fantastic online poker in New York and many other US states.

1. BetOnline — Best online poker new york site for high rollers
2. SportsBetting.ag — A New York poker room with the best freerolls
3. Wild Casino — An online video poker New York site with the most generous bonus offers

Top New York Online Poker Sites Reviewed

We decided to further narrow down our selection to the top three online poker New York sites and make five mini-reviews for each of them. Feel free to explore them below and pick the one that meets your needs. All New York poker rooms mentioned below are considered the best in business, but it’s ultimately up to you to pick the one you like the most.

1. BetOnline – Best Online Poker New York Site for High Rollers

Established in 2011, BetOnline has emerged as the top #1 online poker room and even voted as the top choice on Reddit. It’s powered by Chico Poker Software, which ensures smooth navigation and playing experience, especially if you want to play poker on a mobile device or an app.

The two most popular options are Texas Hold’em and Omaha PL and Hi/Lo, with plenty of exciting cash games and tournaments as well. Some of them are part of BetOnline’s superb promotions program, which includes options such as Bad Beat Jackpot, Progressive Bounties, $1 Million Windfall, and more. Moreover, cash game limits start at $0.05/$0.05 and go up to $15/$30. Plus, you can find tournaments that start as low as $10.

The platform features a range of bonuses and freerolls, including a lucrative poker bonus that new players can claim  – but be sure to check out all of BetOnline’s promo codes. Finally, they are a crypto-friendly platform. Apart from Neteller, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, you can use Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dash.

 

2. SportsBetting.ag – A New York Poker Room with the Best Freerolls

SportsBetting.ag was established in 2002, and it’s the official sister site to BetOnline. The decade-older sister’s main focus is NY sports betting, but plenty of players also love it due to its great poker room. It’s also part of the online poker New York market, meaning you can access it from NY and enjoy playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo. No-limit cash games start at $0.05/$0.10 and go up to $15/$30. You can also choose from several great tournaments.

The platform represents one of the online New York poker rooms with the largest number of freerolls, and it also features a lucrative welcome bonus — 100% up to $1,000 on your first deposit. There is plenty more available at this NY poker site, too – just input the correct SportsBetting.ag promo codes to unlock cash bonuses for both new and old players.

It runs on Chico Poker Software, and you can download it to your desktop or mobile device.

Finally, SportsBetting.ag accepts a wide range of fiat and crypto payment methods, with the minimum deposit being $20 and a maximum of $25,000 for cryptocurrencies.

 

3. Wild Casino – An Online Video Poker New York Site With the Most Generous Bonus Offers

With over 250 casino games, there’s much more on offer at Wild Casino than just the online poker room. But poker does feature prominently, and the site offers a wide variety of options for players, including a fresh collection of video poker games with 17 different options – seven of which are multi-hand variations of the single-hand games. And a terrific live casino with Baccarat, blackjack, and roulette if you feel like spending time with a real dealer.

In terms of video poker, Wild Casino delivers. You can bet on over 18 different types of poker games in total. Seven of them are the casino’s standard single-hand games. You can find Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and even a few variations of Joker Poker, although most players prefer Deuces Wild or Jacks or Better. Bettors also like to play the popular High-Roller Jacks or Better. Additionally, players can wager on live poker games and even play on the go.

The casino bonus package includes a $5,000 Wild Casino welcome bonus plus deposit match and reload bonuses for returning players. You can obtain a 10% rebate on any losses you incur on online casino games between Monday and Thursday, excluding live casino games. Wild Casino’s promotions and bonuses are nothing short of stellar.  In addition, players get a hands-on customer support team to answer all their questions.

 

More on Gambling in NY…

Learn about all types of online gambling in NY in our expert guides below:

• New York Sports Betting
• New York Real Money Online Casinos
• New York Casino Apps
• New York Online Gambling
• New York Sports Betting Apps
• New York Mobile Sports Betting Sites
• New York Horse Racing
• New York Sportsbook Promos

 

The Top Online Poker Real Money New York Sites Compared

Now that you’re familiar with the popular online New York poker rooms, you probably have at least some idea of which one suits you best. We decided to help you out by comparing them side-by-side. Feel free to examine the table below to learn more about available poker options, poker bonuses, and available tournaments on all available poker sites. 

Is Online Poker Legal in New York?

Online poker is not legal in New York at the moment, and you won’t find any online poker platforms licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission. However, despite the absence of legal online poker on New York platforms, you can still access a wide array of offshore poker sites. In other words, residents are free to access offshore poker platforms, as the law mainly applies to running online poker operations within the state.

Technically speaking, the offshore sites offering online poker in New York are in the grey legal area. Still, all platforms suggested on this platform can be considered New York poker rooms as they are entirely available to New Yorkers.

Video Poker

Many new poker players often mix up online poker with video poker. While they have similar basic rules, they are two entirely different types of games. Video poker is a casino game where players play alone (not against other players). Most video poker options are based on draw poker and come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular video poker options are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces and Faces, and more.

Check out our selection of New York online casinos to learn more about great offshore sites offering video poker and other great casino games.

Casual Poker

Casual poker is a type of live poker played among friends. It’s often hosted in one of the participant’s homes, with typically low stakes. Hosting poker games is legal in New York as long as nobody is charging rake or any other kind of fee/commission as the host. This type of gambling is perceived as a social game of chance and is legal as such. However, you still need to be of legal gambling age to participate in casual poker.

Poker New York Laws

Even though New York hasn’t officially legalized online poker, it has come a long way regarding land-based poker options. The state has legalized four commercial casinos. In addition to commercial, there are also tribal casinos — a total of 16 properties operated by four tribes. Many of them feature poker rooms to enjoy live poker cash games and tournaments.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that poker enthusiasts from NY have plenty of land-based options. They still have to be 21 or older to enter casinos and participate in poker games and tournaments.

Offshore Poker Sites in New York

Online poker is currently not legal in the state of New York, although this may be set to change in 2023. This means that there are no domestic online operators available for residents in the state. However, poker can be played online by New Yorkers at offshore poker sites.

Offshore poker sites do not fall under federal jurisdiction, which is why players in NY can play at these sites. Gambling laws that target online gambling are used to go after illegal operators in the USA and nobody has ever been arrested for gambling at an offshore site in New York. Although these sites do not hold a license from the state that the offshore sites we have are fully licensed by reputable organizations such as the Curacao gaming commission and offer a legit and safe gambling experience.

History of Gambling in New York

New York has a rather interesting history of gambling laws. They had legalized lotteries from the early days of the US but were the first state to ban them in the 1800s. They were then the second state to reinstate the lottery in 1967. Since then, the Big Apple hasn’t looked back and has continued to become more gambling friendly.

In 1970 they legalized Off-Track Betting, and then in 2001, they legalized several Indian casinos and allowed racetracks to operate video terminals changing them into racinos. In 2013 a vote passed on allowing full casinos. In 2019 they passed legislation to allow sports betting, and they went even further in 2022 when mobile sports betting went live. There is also a good chance that online poker will become legal by the end of 2023.

New York Poker — Live and In-Person

There are currently ten live poker rooms operating in New York as part of commercial and tribal casinos.

Del Lago Casino & Resort

Located in Waterloo, NY, Del Lago is one of the largest casinos in the state. Its poker room currently features 14 poker tables and plenty of ongoing cash games. Available options are Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Seven Card Stud.

Resorts World Catskills

The poker room at Resorts World Catskills features 19 tables and an array of limit and no-limit cash games starting at $3–$6 and $1–$2 minimum betting, respectively. You’ll find Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and a Bad Beat Jackpot.

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady

Apart from 1,150 slots and 67 live table games, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady features a great poker room with 15 tables and a packed schedule, including various cash games and tournaments. Most of the available options focus on Texas Hold’em.

Turning Stone Casino

Turning Stone Resort Casino is home to one of the most exciting poker rooms. With exactly 32 tables, you can play live cash games, daily single-table tournaments, and more. The poker room also features 12 big-screen HD TVs and is home to a World Series of Poker Circuit stop that lasts for 11 days.

New York Online Poker Laws

It isn’t legal to run an online poker site in New York. However, players are still free to visit offshore poker sites and play poker that way. Offshore poker sites are not physically located in the US but are operated by companies registered in other countries. In other words, they aren’t licensed and regulated by the NY regulator, but they still operate in the grey legal area in New York. However, you’re still required to be of legal gambling age if you want to play online poker, 21 or older.

Benefits of Playing Poker Online vs Land-based Casino

One of the main benefits of playing poker online is being able to do it at any time and from any place. You don’t have to brave the extreme summer heat or the freezing cold of winter to play some poker. You don’t even need to get dressed. However, there are plenty of other advantages of playing online, such as bonuses and promotions. Online poker sites offer huge welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, free tournaments, and more which you will not find at brick-and-mortar sites.

An additional benefit is table selection, If you visit a land-based casino, you may find that you have to wait to get a seat at a table, but you won’t have that trouble online. Also, online poker provides much more variation in the limits on tables. At online casinos, you can play micros stakes where minimum bet limits can be as low as 1 cent. Land-based casinos typically start at around $5.

Online Poker Guides State by State

New York Online Poker

Playing online poker in New York is popular among players as it comes with various benefits compared to land-based poker. The most important advantage is keeping track of the hands you and your opponents played, which gives you a better overview of play history and helps you improve your poker strategy. 

Moreover, when playing from the comfort of your home, you can always use some kind of cheat sheet that will help you always make the best possible move and stick to your strategies, such as GTO.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of online poker in New York is welcome bonuses. Since the online poker market is very competitive, providers are looking to attract new players and retain regulars. One of the most popular methods is offering lucrative bonuses that can help you kickstart your online poker experience.

Even though there’s a decent selection of poker tournaments in New York, you can find much more options on online poker sites, and your only task is to pick the best poker site for you. 

Payment Methods for Playing Online Poker in New York

Having a diverse range of payment options that allow users to make quick, easy, and secure deposits and withdrawals is an essential element of any poker site in New York. Below we will give you the rundown on the different payment methods available at the best offshore poker sites in New York.

Deposits

You will need to fund your poker account before taking a seat at a poker table. Read on as we discuss the most common deposit methods and some key information about them.

Credit & Debit Cards

The poker sites we have reviewed all accept major credit and debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard and most also accept American Express. Using cards to deposit is a popular method, as almost everyone has one. However, the downside to using a credit card is that many poker sites do charge a fee for using this method. The fees vary from site to site some will be a flat rate, and others a percentage of the amount. It’s also important to bear in mind that this method is only for deposits, and you will not be able to withdraw your money using a card.

Wire Transfer

Another traditional method is wire transfers; with this method, you directly wire money to the casino’s bank account. You can either go to your bank to complete this, or a more convenient method is using Internet banking. There are generally fees involved in this method, and more often than not, the minimum deposit is higher than in other methods.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the oldest and most commonly used cryptocurrency available. It is fast becoming one of the most popular methods to deposit money at online casinos because transactions are secure and speedy. Usually, no fees are involved, and maximum limits are higher and minimum limits are lower. In addition, the best Bitcoin online poker sites also offer specialized Bitcoin bonuses that are more lucrative than if you deposit with other methods.

Cryptocurrency

There is also a wide range of other cryptocurrencies available for deposits at most poker websites. It depends on the site to which other coins are available, but some of the most commonly accepted crypto coins besides Bitcoin are crypto are Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin cash, Dogecoin, and Ripple. Like BTC, these also usually come with no fees and higher bonuses.

eWallets

There are a wide variety of eWallets available nowadays, and they are a great way to deposit funds for online poker in New York as transactions are fast, secure, and have minimal to no fees. The eWallets that can be used vary by site, but some of the most commonly accepted wallets are PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, and Apple Wallet.

Withdrawals

Just as important if not more so as ways to put money into your account is how to extract your winnings. Most of the same methods for depositing money are available to withdraw, but there are a few differences as most sites, you can not withdraw money via credit and debit cards.

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers are a convenient method to cash out your winnings from a poker site, but again, there are usually fees involved, higher minimum withdrawal limits, and generally take around one to two weeks before you will see the money in your account.

Check

Receiving your money via check by courier is also another common method for withdrawals. Like wire transfers, there is usually a fee involved, which is often a flat rate. In addition, another drawback is the time with it taking on average 10-15 days before you receive it.

Bitcoin & other Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is the preferred method of many people to make withdrawals from real money online poker sites in New York. This is because transactions are fast, you can expect to receive your funds back in your crypto wallet within 48 hours, but depending on the site, it can be much faster than this, sometimes taking just a few minutes.  Like with deposits, there are usually no fees, and the maximum and minimum limits are higher and lower, respectively.

eWallets

eWallets are also a speedy way to withdraw cash, with transactions being near instantaneous. Additionally, most sites will not charge you any fees, but you may incur a small fee from the eWallet.

Making New York Online Poker Deposits

To win real prizes on online New York poker sites, you need to make a deposit first. The good news is that many offshore sites accept a wide range of payment methods, and all platforms featured in this guide also accept cryptocurrencies like Tether and Bitcoin. They each have different limits and payment processing speeds, so make sure to check out the table below.

Playing Online Poker in New York

Each of the five online platforms featured in this guide features certain advantages and disadvantages that will ultimately help you decide on the best option for you.

If you’re looking for cryptocurrencies, your best bet is BetOnline, as it currently features 11 crypto deposit and withdrawal methods. Moreover, the deposit and withdrawal limits for crypto users are huge. Of course, all other platforms have cryptocurrencies as well, but if there’s anything you don’t enjoy about BetOnline, you can always pick SportsBetting.ag. And if video poker is your preference, then Wild Casino is a sure bet. 

All featured online poker sites are quite competitive if you’re after lucrative welcome bonuses. Sportsbetting.AG is definitely the leader in this area, as it’s the only site to offer a good bonus on your first deposit.

Most poker rooms in NY offer Hold’em and Omaha, and you’re going to find these two variants in all featured sites that offer online poker in New York. However, if you’re interested in going beyond the two poker games, you should definitely check out BetOnline, which also features less popular variations, such as Boost Poker, Windfall Poker, and Six Plus Poker.

Finally, players interested in a poker tournament in New York should focus on BetOnline, as it’s currently the platform with the highest offer of organized competitions, offering anywhere between 10 and 15 big online tourneys monthly. Another site that also is doing well in this sphere is SportsBetting.ag. 

Tips for Online Poker Real Money — New York

No matter which New York online poker sites you select, you should always try to make the most out of them. Plenty of people play poker in New York City, and some of them are active players on offshore sites, so it’s important to stay as competitive as you can since you’re likely to meet some of them online on a poker app. Here are some of the basic tips to consider before joining one of the online poker rooms in New York.

• Pay attention to the bonuses — Every online poker site has a lucrative welcome bonus that you can claim and extend your online poker experience. Make sure to examine each bonus carefully and pick the one you like the most.
• Read the table rules — Each online poker site has table rules regarding rake, table limits, available games, and more. Get familiar with them to incorporate them into your poker strategy.
• Plan your budget upfront — Only deposit the amount you can afford to lose and try not to get carried away when playing online poker.
• Keep track of other players — Online poker platforms have a hand history, which is a great way to see how other players at your table are thinking and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Get a stable internet connection — Whether you’re playing on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device, it’s important to ensure a stable connection, as an unstable one can cause issues and even result in being kicked out of the cash game or tournament.

Famous New York Poker Players

Even though online poker is not technically legal in the state, New York has produced some of the best poker players in the USA over the years. One of the most successful poker players hailing from the Big Apple is Bryn Kenney, who has earned in excess of 57 million dollars in poker winnings.

Kenney won his first live cash game in 2007 at the East Coast poker championship. He has made it to 7 final tables at the world series of poker and won one bracelet for winning the 10-Game Mix Six-Handed event. Kenney also has won the largest ever single payout in live poker tournament history, which was a whopping $20,563,324. The strange thing was he actually finished 2nd, but due to a prize-splitting deal with his opponent Zang, he actually received the larger prize.

Another big name from NY is Erik Seidel, who has won close to $40 million and an impressive 9 World Series of Poker bracelets, with the most recent being in 2021. Issac Haxton is a New York Native that has amassed close to $30 million, including over two million dollars from online poker.

Poker Games to Play in New York

The most well-known type of poker that most people will be aware of is Texas Hold ’em, but there are multiple other types available. Most poker players tend to specialize in one or two types of poker, but it is worth knowing how to play many types as this provides you with more opportunities to find your specialty. Below we will explore the different types of poker games that can be played in New York.

Texas Hold ’em: Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game around, and the biggest poker events are usually this. In this type of game, players are dealt two hold cards. The player left of the dealer has to input a small blind, and the next player has a small blind. In some games, there may be an ante for every player.

The betting then begins. Once the first round of betting has finished, three community cards are shown (known as the flop). Another betting round begins, and then a fourth card is dealt (the turn), and after betting again the final card (the river) is dealt. The winner is determined by whoever has the best 5 card hand made up of a combination of their hole cards and the community cards.

Omaha: Omaha is another very popular poker variant and is very similar to Texas Hold’em, with two key differences. The first way it differs is that players are dealt four hole cards instead of two. The second contrast is that your final hand is made up of exactly two of your hole cards and three of the community cards.

Omaha Hi-Lo: This variation of Omaha poker is almost identical to Omaha but with a little twist. In Hi-Lo, the pot is split between the players that have the best hand and whoever has the worst hand.

Stud poker: There are multiple variants, and the rules differ for each one. Depending on the stud game, players will be dealt a number of cards, either face up, face down, or a combination of both. Betting rounds in stud poker are commonly referred to as “streets.” After the final betting round, the player with the best hand will win, but there are some variations, like Hi-Lo or Razz, where the worst hand can win. Below are some stud poker variations.

• 5 card stud
• 7 card stud
• Mississippi stud
• Caribbean stud
• Razz
• Hi-Lo stud

5 card draw:  Players are dealt five cards (hence the name) face down, and a round of betting begins. Once the first round is over, if more than one player remains, then players can opt to discard 1-5 of their hole cards and replace them with cards from the deck. Many sites and casinos have a house rule of being able to discard only 3 cards or 4 if one of the cards is an ace or wild. Another round of betting occurs before hands are revealed.

It’s important to remember that, unlike many other types of poker, in 5 card draw, there are no community cards. A player’s hand is made up completely of the cards they are dealt.

Horse: Horse poker gets its name from the first letter of the five variants of poker involved in the game, which are Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, Eight, or better. One round of each of its component games is played, starting with Texas Hold ’em and ending with eight or better.

Horse is a tough game, as you need skills in multiple forms of poker. However, if you are new to poker, it’s a good way to practice the different variants of poker but try to stick to low stakes at first before you get a good understanding of the different component games.

How to Play Online Poker in New York

By now, you probably already have an idea of which poker New York online site is the best for you. The next thing is to open an account, make a deposit, and start playing the game for real money. Let’s take a look at a four-step process on how to do that.

Step 1: Load the New York Poker Online Site of Your Choice in Your Browser

First of all, it’s important to pick and load the site in your browser. Make sure to explore it carefully and decide whether your online poker platform choice is final. If yes, click the Join Now button, usually located in the upper right corner of the site.

Step 2: Fill in the Registration Form

To play online poker for real money, you need to become a registered user. In most cases, the registration form will require some basic information about you, including your username, password, email, phone number, country of residence, and more. Some poker sites might have more detailed KYC requirements.

Step 3: Make a Deposit to Your Account Balance

To start playing poker for real money, you need to make a deposit using one of the available payment options. Most online poker sites feature a range of fiat and crypto deposit methods, so select the best one for you and make a deposit.

In most cases, you can also claim a welcome bonus on your first deposit. Some online poker platforms require you to enter the bonus code, while others only need you to opt in.

Step 4: Select a Poker Cash Game or Tournament and Enjoy

Finally, once your deposit and bonus are through, you just need to pick a cash game or tournament you like and start playing against other players right away. Offshore poker sites in New York offer a huge range of tournaments for high-rollers and players on a budget.

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Other Online Poker Guides You Might Like

Learn more about the types of online poker games, the options available, and where to best enjoy them:

• Best Bitcoin Poker Sites – A complete guide to the best Bitcoin poker sites to play online.
• Best Offshore Poker Sites – A rundown of the best offshore poker sites with massive bonuses.
• Best Online Poker Sites – Full presentation of the best poker sites to play with real money.
• Play Online Poker Real Money – Full presentation of the best poker sites to play with real money.
• Download the Best Poker Apps – Complete guide and review of the best poker apps.
• Poker Games (List) – Complete overview of the most popular poker games available online.

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NY Legislative Resources

Residents of New York who would like to discover more information on current legislation to do with poker and gambling in the state or would like to contact local and state representatives to express their opinions or concerns on the subject can use the links below.

• ny.gov
• nyassembly.gov

NY Gambling Resources

If you feel that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, then we encourage you to get in contact with an organization that can help you address the problem. Below you can find links to two sites that can provide advice and local information, and treatment services in your area.

• NCPG Problem Gambling Resources in New York
• NYproblemgambling.gov

Conclusion — Playing Poker in New York

As you can see, even though poker is technically not entirely legalized in New York, you can still find several great land-based poker card rooms and a couple of top-notch offshore poker sites.

If you’re interested in playing poker from the comfort of your home, we recommend BetOnline. The platform features a variety of generous bonuses and freerolls, with a  welcome bonus of up to $1,000 bankroll for new players, making it our top pick for online poker layers in New York.

Online Poker NY FAQs

Are the casinos accepting players regulated and licensed?

Yes, while we can’t speak for every online poker site in New York, all the sites we have reviewed on this page are regulated and licensed by reputable offshore organizations and offer a secure and fair gambling experience.

Is it safe to play online poker in New York?

Yes, it is safe to play online poker in New York as long as you make sure the poker site you are using is fully licensed by a reputable organization, such as the sites we have reviewed on this page.