New York Legal Online Sports Betting In 2024

Laws That Impact Gambling In New York State

If you have read our state-based articles before, then you know that we like to give our readers a rundown of the federal US sports betting laws in every article. We do this because (a) it's very important that you know about the federal laws (the American government's laws) governing gambling, and (b) we like to illustrate how state-based legislation melds, or doesn't meld, with the federal regulations.

This will help players in making informed decisions regarding their gambling participation. We like giving you the skinny on how states get along with the feds so that you can gamble in peace without having to worry about potentially breaking any laws. Sure, it takes up a whole section of every article, but it's well worth it to get that information out there.

In terms of federal regulations which may or may not affect New York, you have three: The UIGEA of 2006, the Bradley Act of 1992, and the Federal Wire Act of 1961. For the UIGEA, this law basically places regulations on how online gambling transactions can be processed. The law is directed solely at the online gambling site operators and payment processors and does not address players.

While this law did temporarily send a lot of online gambling businesses out of the US gambling market, the dust has since settled and US gamblers once again have a decent range of options when it comes to legal offshore betting. This law caused an initial uproar in the industry, but ultimately did improve the safety of online gambling transactions and does little to hinder us from betting on sports.

With the Federal Wire Act of 1961, the government basically went after organized crime by making it illegal for them to carry on with their sports betting via phone lines. Since that time, the DOJ has stated that the law does apply only to sports betting and that it does prohibit US-based online sports betting across state lines.

Many people are crying foul since that date, pointing out that the Internet was not even around in 1961 hence the law certainly could not have any intention of banning something that didn't exist when it was established.

These objections have fallen on deaf ears thus far, with no changes in the law being made. Though if you do want to bet via a "wire," you can still do so via the Internet, technically speaking, by simply finding a site that's legally operated outside of the US and that allows you to play there. The government won't come down on you for that as US federal laws do not impact businesses operating outside of the US.

Traditional Gambling Options in New York

The state of New York basically has a mixture of tribal casinos and racetracks. Not all of their racetracks are actually tribal, but the majority of their casinos are. Some people have a bone to pick with tribal casinos. For the most part, they're very heavy on the slots and only offer a few table games, and they're not exactly going to earn a magazine feature for their cuisine anytime soon.

Their hotel rooms are also frequently cut-rate and they don't put a lot of care into creating a resort-like atmosphere as you would find in Vegas casinos or at the Trump down in Jersey. However, some of the casinos in the state of New York are top-of-the-line gambling houses that are basically like resorts. It all really depends on which casino you visit.

For instance, the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is a relatively new addition to the state. It used to be a famous racetrack, but it has since been completely remodeled into a legitimate casino.

You can find over 5,300 slot machines here, as well as roulette, sic bo, baccarat, blackjack, video poker, and much more. This is a large establishment with high-quality rooms, great entertainment, fine dining options, and much more. It even has valet parking. Another solid casino in the state is one that you might not even want to stop at when driving by.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino looks like a large Howard Johnson's that was painted red, but it's actually one of the best casinos in the state once you get inside. This casino has over 1,800 slot machines, dozens of table games, a health spa, a gym, plenty of rooms, and even RV parking for people who are on cross-country trips with their families.

Don't sleep on New York's offerings for a minute. The state is where the famous Belmont Racetrack is located, which features the Belmont Stakes every year. This is a legitimate A1 horse race that draws in thousands to watch in person and millions on television. They also offer simulcast racing and dining and entertainment options.

All told, there are over a dozen other casinos located in New York, where you can play slots, bet on the ponies, play blackjack, enjoy a show, etc. You might not think it, but New York is quickly becoming a go-to locale for gamblers.

New York Gambling Resources

• New York Council On Problem Gambling