Legal Online Poker New York
Is it legal to play poker online in NY? Currently, there are no legal operating online NY online poker sites at this time. The legislation is pending and it is believed that poker sites and online casinos will start to become available in the state of New York. If legalized in New York, online poker has the likelihood of being very successful and profitable due to the potential volume of players. Poker online would deem New York as a role model for states that may be strapped for cash because of its sheer size and the amount of influence that it holds. Legal online poker in New York. Even though it missed the boat again in 2019, New York remains a serious contender for online poker legalization. Legalization could make the Empire State the sixth — following New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — to legalize online poker. Some believe the changing landscape for gambling expansion could help push New York.
Under New York state law, persons who take part in a gambling activity as a player at legally licensed sites such as NY poker rooms or New York sports betting sites will not suffer any legal consequences, as long as those sites are not based within the US. However, the state punishes bookmakers. New York currently provides a range of legal gambling opportunities, including various tribal casinos (several that also offer poker), poker rooms, bingo, lottery games, pari-mutuel betting and charitable gambling events. In essence, New York is a gambling friendly destination and is considered to be progressive on this issue.
New York currently provides a range of legal gambling opportunities, including various tribal casinos (several that also offer poker), poker rooms, bingo, lottery games, pari-mutuel betting and charitable gambling events. In essence, New York is a gambling friendly destination and is considered to be progressive on this issue. There are numerous options for legally playing poker at any of the tribal casinos that operate within the state. Should New York players exhaust their options within the state, they can always make a quick jaunt over to Atlantic City for additional options.
Is it legal to play online poker in New York?
The answer to this question will depend on where you plan on playing your games. If you are seeking some type of state regulated online poker option, then you are a little too early in that search. While we believe that NY will be one of the next states to legalize online poker, with several attempts having already come forward, at the time of this writing there is not any option for playing state regulated poker online. Should you be approached by an online poker site that is operating within the state, then they are an illegal gambling business and you should steer clear of them.
However, there are no state or federal laws that prohibit NY residents and visitors from engaging in legally licensed and regulated online poker games that are based outside of the United States. The poker sites listed on this page fall into this category. If you restrict your online poker entertainment to these types of legally sanctioned gambling sites, then you are not breaking any type of state or federal laws.
Is New York going to regulate online poker anytime soon?
That is impossible to say with any surety. Due to the complex nature of the state's current casino gambling expansions taking place, the issue of online poker has been tabled for now. However there is enough interest among law makers and residents to keep the fight alive. Most industry professionals consider the state to be poised for the addition of state regulated online poker gambling, it's just a matter of when. We will keep this site updated with the latest information concerning the state's efforts to bring online poker forward.
What is the legal gambling age to play poker in New York State?
In the state of New York, players must be at least 21 years of age to play poker or to gamble at any of the Indian tribal casinos. Players that are at least 18 years of age may participate in bingo, lottery and pari-mutuel betting. There are no state regulated online gambling options within the state, hence there is no established minimum age for engaging in online gambling. In a case like this, players must refer to the legal minimum age established for land based gambling, meaning that NY players must be 21 to enjoy licensed online poker gambling without violating any state laws.
Will I get into trouble if I participate in online poker while I'm in New York?
Though the state does not offer any type of state regulated online poker gambling opportunities at this time, they also do not have any laws in place prohibiting residents from engaging in online poker as long as the site is legally licensed and regulated and located outside of the USA. The state of New York has never made any attempts to penalize, investigate, arrest or prosecute anyone for enjoying online gambling, including online poker. They are more interested in making sure that illegal gambling sites do not emerge within the state, and hence that is where their focus lies. As long as your follow accepted practices for engaging in legal online poker, you will not be breaking any laws or risk getting into trouble.
New York has significantly contributed to the intrigue and history of poker culture in the United States. There was a thriving poker underworld present in NY long before regulated poker emerged. This environment was the inspiration for the movie Rounders, and also fostered some infamous moments, such as crime boss and notorious gambler Arnold Rothstein being gunned down during a game of poker at one of the state's posh hotels. New York's prestigious card clubs have turned out some respected professional poker players, including Erik Seidel and Dan Harrington.
Useful Resources for New York Gamblers
Find The Best Online Poker Sites Accepting Players From New York
Is It Legal To Play Poker In New York?
New York has repeatedly stated that poker is illegal, in a tradition that goes back to the very earliest days of the state. There are, however, some pretty serious exceptions to the rule. To get an idea of the baseline legality, let's take a look at Section 5-401:
All wagers, bets, or stakes, made to depend upon any race, or upon any gaming by lot or chance, or upon any lot, chance, casualty, or unknown or contingent event whatever, shall be unlawful.
You can find out which poker sites accept players from New York by reading our US poker sites guide.
The law also clarifies the term gambling to really drive the point home.
Gambling - A person engages in gambling when he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.
Is Online Poker Legal In New York
In the definition, it mentions a 'contest of chance', and this has been a point of contention since day-one. While many people would argue that poker is a game of skill, specifically pointing to the ability to bluff, the use of cards has blinded the ruling judges. In the end, poker is always considered a game of chance in New York.
Home Poker Games and The Law
Home poker games are considered unauthorized, but there are only a few circumstances where you'll have a problem. If you are actually running an underground card room, where people are paying to play in your home, then you can expects some trouble. In general though, if you aren't being paid (beyond your winnings) you aren't actually breaking a law.
Beyond raking the pot or charging players to pay, if your home games cause some sort of public nuisance, and cause people to complain to the authorities, then you'll probably get a knock on the door. If you're just having a few friends over for a friendly, low stakes game, it's probably legal.
If you do attend an underground poker club, it could be raided at any time by the New York Police Department, however you don't need to worry about getting in trouble. Anyone who owns or operates the club will get misdemenor or felony charges, but simply for attending, you're within the bounds of the law (you're chips will be taken as evidence though, so you do lose your bankroll).
What About Poker in New York Casinos?
As we saw in Section 5-401, New York takes a pretty hard-line stance against gambling, unless it's taking place in an approved casino. Casino's like the Turning Stone resort are owned and operated by Native American tribes that are given some serious leeway when it comes to gambling.
The casinos do legally offer poker games, and they do make a profit by collecting rake from each pot. If you are interested in playing poker, most casinos offer a great player-friendly environment for New York Poker players. When you consider the illegality of home games, it really does make a great deal of sense to make the trip to an authorized casino.
Does New York Have Laws About Online Poker?
New York is actually one of the few states to really confront online poker. So far, they haven't actually succeeded, but legislature has tried repeatedly to specifically control New York's exposure to online poker rooms.
Known as S.66, this law would completely abolish online poker for the citizens in New York, and would also, likely even ban websites that discussed or promoted online poker. In the end though, the first amendment free speech rights ended up toppling this proposed legislation.
North Carolina - North Carolina Poker Laws
North Dakota - North Dakota Poker Laws
Ohio - Ohio Poker Laws
Legal Online Poker In New York
Oklahoma - Oklahoma Poker Laws