Real-money online casinos have never been legal in New York, meaning players in the state have had to turn to sweepstakes casinos to play online casino games. That was until December 2, 2025, when New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed S05935A into law, which officially banned all online sweepstakes casinos in the state.
That means the only way to play online casino games in New York is on free-to-play social casinos. These sites are nearly identical to sweepstakes casinos, offering online casino-style games, like slots, table games, and card games, but without any prize redemptions.
For now, social casinos, like BetRivers.net and Hard Rock Jackpot Planet, are the only safe and legal way to play online casino games in New York. There’s always talk about real-money online casinos coming to New York someday, but until that actually happens, social casinos are the only options for NY players who want to stay on the right side of the law.
| Bonus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  BetRivers.NET
3.8/5 |
Win up to 1,000 Virtual Coins |
Must be 21 years or older to play. Not available in ID, MT, NV, NY, WA. | |||||
2  Hard Rock Jackpot Planet
3.7/5 |
10,000,000 GC |
Must be 18 years or older to play. Not available in TN/WA. | |||||
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Below you will find the list of every reputable social casino currently available to players in New York, ranked by our online casino experts.
We have ensured that only reputable operators are included on this list, excluding any illegal offshore casinos. We do this to ensure you will have a safe online gaming experience should you choose to sign up and play with any of the New York online casinos listed below.
Click on any of the social casinos listed above to read more about their offerings!
| 🎰 Number of Slots | 798 |
| 🎲 Types of Games | Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Poker, Dice, Sic Bo, + more |
| 🤵 Live Dealer Games | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Dream Catcher, Sic Bo, Texas Hold'em, Crazy Time, Craps |
| ⚙️ Game Providers | NetEnt, Greentube, Everi, Konami, Habanero, 3 Oaks, AGS, Red Tiger |
| 💳 Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, Pre-paid cards, Online banking |
| 🖥️ Desktop Site | betrivers.net |
| ⛔️ Restricted States | ID, MT, NV, NY, WA |
Good live dealer selection
Claim free VC every 4 hours
Renowned iGaming operator
For players looking for a completely free and fun casino experience, BetRivers.NET offers a solid play-for-fun platform that features a variety of games like slots, blackjack, and roulette. You can enjoy the excitement of popular casino games without ever spending real money, making it a risk-free way to explore the casino world.
One of BetRivers.NET’s standout features is the daily bonuses and challenges that provide players with Virtual Currency (VC) to keep the fun going. While it doesn’t offer real cash prizes like Stake.us or Jackpota, it’s ideal for those who want to practice strategies or simply enjoy casino games without financial pressure. With an easy-to-use interface and a well-rounded selection of classic games, BetRivers.NET is a top choice for casual players looking for a strictly social casino.
Betrivers net Mobile
Betrivers net Slots Mobile
Betrivers net Blackjack Mobile
| 🎰 Number of Games | 150+ |
| 🎲 Types of Games | Slots |
| 🤵 Live Dealer Games | None |
| ⚙️ Game Providers | IGT, Konami, Aristocrat |
| 💳 Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard |
| 🖥️ Desktop Site | None |
| 🗓️ Year Launched | 2025 |
| 📱 Mobile Apps | iOS & Android |
| 🎁 Registration Gift | 10,000,000 GC |
| 💰 First Purchase Offers | 250,000 GC + 1,000 Free Hearts for $9.99 |
| ⛔️ Restricted States | TN, WA |
Mobile apps for iOS & Android
Huge GC welcome bonus
Earn Hard Rock Unity rewards points
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet is a mobile-only social casino that feels right at home for New York players who like to play on their phones. It’s backed by the Hard Rock name and runs through a dedicated app on both iOS and Android, so everything is built for quick sessions and smooth gameplay on the go. The focus here is strictly on slots, so you won’t find table games or video poker, but the slot lineup itself is solid, with titles from familiar providers like IGT, Konami, and Aristocrat.
After downloading the app and signing up, new players get 10,000,000 Gold Coins to start playing right away. Keeping your balance topped up is straightforward thanks to daily login bonuses, referral rewards, and optional coin purchases. The app uses two in-game currencies, Gold Coins and Hearts. There’s no cash-out element, but Hearts can be exchanged for Hard Rock Unity reward points, which is a nice extra if you’re already plugged into the Hard Rock ecosystem.
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Games
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Unity Rewards
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Offers
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New York has made significant progress in legalizing online gambling, but the legality varies depending on the type of gambling in question. Here’s an overview of the current status of legal online gambling in New York as of 2025.
Real-money online casinos are still illegal in New York. That means traditional casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette can’t be played online for real money. While other states have moved forward with regulated iGaming, New York has not followed suit, and there’s no legal framework in place yet for real-money online casinos.
Sweepstakes casinos are no longer legal in New York. In December 2025, the state passed legislation that specifically bans online sweepstakes casino games that use dual currencies and allow players to redeem virtual coins for cash or cash-equivalent prizes. As a result, sweepstakes-style platforms are now prohibited from operating or being promoted in New York. Players should avoid any site still offering prize redemptions under a sweepstakes model, as these platforms are no longer compliant with state law.
With both real-money and sweepstakes casinos off the table, social casinos are now the only legal way to play casino-style games online in New York. Platforms like Hard Rock Jackpot Planet and BetRivers.net operate legally in the state by offering games purely for entertainment. These sites use virtual currency, usually called Gold Coins, and do not offer any form of cash or prize redemption. You play for fun, not payouts, which keeps them fully within New York’s legal boundaries.
Online sports betting is fully legal and well-established in New York. Since launching in January 2022, it’s become one of the state’s biggest sources of gambling revenue. Regulated sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are all live and available, giving New Yorkers plenty of options to bet on professional and college sports online.
| 🔞 Legal online gambling age in NY | 21+ |
| ♣️ Online Casinos | No |
| 🎰 Social Casinos | Yes (18+) |
| 🎁 Sweepstakes Casinos | No |
| 🏈 Online Sports Betting | Yes |
| 📱 Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes |
| 🏇 Online Horse Race Betting | Yes |
We prioritize transparency in our assessment process of the New York online casinos listed on this page, ensuring our audience understands how we rate each platform. Our evaluation process is thorough, employing a rigorous system that carefully analyzes the key factors influencing every site's performance.
Feel free to read more about how we evaluate gambling sites.
NY Online Casinos FAQs
No. Real-money online casinos remain illegal in New York. Players cannot wager actual money on slots, table games, or other casino games online. Only free-to-play social casinos are allowed for residents looking for legal online casino-style entertainment.
Sweepstakes casinos are now illegal in New York. In December 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S05935A, banning online sweepstakes platforms that allow players to redeem virtual coins for cash or prizes. Any site still offering these features is operating outside the law.
Social casinos are free-to-play platforms where you can enjoy slots, bingo, and other casino-style games using virtual currency. They do not offer real-money wagering or cash prizes, making them fully legal for New York residents aged 18 and older.
No. Social casinos are designed for entertainment only. While you can earn virtual currencies or in-app rewards, these cannot be exchanged for cash or prizes. The focus is on gameplay and fun, not financial gain.
Popular options include Hard Rock Jackpot Planet and BetRivers.net. These platforms offer a variety of slot titles, daily bonuses, and engaging features, all fully legal under New York law.
There’s ongoing discussion about legalizing real-money online casinos in New York, but as of now, there is no confirmed timeline. Players should rely on legal social casinos until legislation changes.
Yes. Never play on unlicensed offshore sites or sweepstakes casinos claiming to offer cash redemptions. These platforms operate illegally in New York and can put players at risk. Stick to regulated NY sports betting sites or legal social casinos if you want to play online.
Not for real money. Slot games are only available legally through social casinos, where you can play for fun with virtual currency. Real-money versions are not permitted under state law.
Yes. Players must be 18 or older to use legal social casinos or participate in online gambling in New York. For sports betting, the minimum age is 21.
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