New York Casinos – Best Places to Gamble in NY

Hey, did you know that New York has a pretty impressive gambling scene? There are six tribal casinos, four fancy commercial casinos, ten racetracks, and a solid state lottery.

Back in the nineties, three tribes negotiated with the state and built their own casinos after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by the federal government in 1988. Then, in 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a constitutional amendment that got approved by residents, which allowed for the construction of seven commercial casinos. As of now, three of those casinos still need to be built.

If you’re wondering what exactly counts as gambling in New York, it’s basically when you bet or risk something valuable on a future event that’s not in your control. You might get something valuable in return if things go your way. Online betting isn’t really forbidden, and just participating in an illegal game doesn’t count as a crime. That means you can play on offshore gambling sites without worrying about legal issues.

There are some laws around gambling in New York that you should be aware of, like NY Penal Code §225.00 et seq. and Statute 47A:101 et seq. and RW&B 47A§518. The minimum age to gamble is 21 for Seneca casinos and 18 for all other gambling facilities.

List of Top Gambling Venues in New York

Related reading: New York online casinos

Reviews of the Top New York Casinos

1. Resorts World Catskills

Resorts World Catskills is a casino and resort located in Monticello, New York. It opened in 2018 with a price tag of $1.2 billion and is owned and operated by Empire Resorts.

You’ll find over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, which includes table games, slot machines, and electronic gaming options. Some of the popular slot machines at Resorts World Catskills include Lightning Link, Buffalo Grand, and Wonder 4 Tower. The table games on offer include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and pai gow.

Resorts World Catskills also has a luxury hotel with 332 suites, each of which comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. The hotel also features a fitness center, a spa, and an indoor pool.

In addition to gaming and lodging, Resorts World Catskills has several dining options to choose from, including a steakhouse, a noodle bar, and a food court. There are also several bars and lounges on the property, including a sports bar and a whiskey bar.

2. Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is a popular casino and resort located in Niagara Falls, New York. It was launched in 2002 and features a 147,000-square-foot gaming floor.

The casino has 3,000 slot machines and 100 table games, including popular titles such as Wheel of Fortune, Lightning Link, and Buffalo Gold. The casino also features a dedicated poker room and a sportsbook for sports betting enthusiasts.

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino also offers luxury accommodations with over 600 rooms and suites available. The rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The resort also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool.

Dining options at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino are plentiful and include everything from casual to upscale. The resort features several restaurants, bars, and lounges, including a steakhouse, a sushi bar, and a sports bar.

3. Turning Stone Resort Casino

Turning Stone Resort Casino is a popular gaming and entertainment venue located in Verona, New York. It was launched in 1993 and has since expanded to include a 125,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 2,000 slot machines, 80 table games, a poker room, bingo hall, and keno lounge.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at Turning Stone Resort Casino include Wheel of Fortune, Lightning Link, and Buffalo Gold. The table games on offer include blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, as well as a variety of poker games.

Turning Stone Resort Casino also offers luxury accommodations with over 700 rooms and suites available. The rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The resort also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and multiple indoor and outdoor pools.

4. del Lago Resort & Casino

del Lago Resort & Casino is a casino and resort located in Waterloo, New York. It opened in 2017 with a price tag of $440 million and features a 94,000-square-foot gaming floor.

The casino offers 1,500 slot machines, as well as blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. Some of the popular slot machine titles at del Lago Resort & Casino include Wheel of Fortune, Quick Hit, and Buffalo Gold.

del Lago Resort & Casino also features a luxury hotel with 205 rooms and suites. The rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The resort also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool.

5. Tioga Downs Casino Resort

Tioga Downs Casino Resort is a popular gaming and entertainment venue located in Nichols, New York. It was launched in 2006 and features a 33,000-square-foot gaming floor.

The venue offers over 800 slot machines and electronic table games, as well as a variety of live table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. Some of the popular slot machine titles at Tioga Downs Casino Resort include Wheel of Fortune, Quick Hit, and Buffalo Gold.

Tioga Downs Casino Resort also features a luxury hotel with 160 rooms and suites. The rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The resort also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool.

New York Gambling Revenues

Gambling is a significant source of revenue for the state of New York. In 2021, the state collected over $3.5 billion in gambling revenues. This revenue comes from various sources, including commercial casinos, tribal casinos, racetracks with video lottery terminals, and the state lottery.

The revenue generated from gambling is used to fund various initiatives, including education, infrastructure, and problem gambling programs. In 2021, $3.1 billion of the gambling revenue was allocated to education, while $165 million was allocated to problem gambling programs. The remaining funds were allocated to various state agencies and programs.

Despite the significant revenue generated from gambling, there are concerns about the social costs associated with gambling, such as addiction and financial hardship. As a result, the state has implemented measures to address problem gambling, including a self-exclusion program and a 24-hour helpline for problem gamblers.

Indian Gaming Tribes in New York

There are currently six federally recognized Indian gaming tribes in New York, each with its own casino and gaming operations. The tribes have a long history in the state, dating back centuries, and have faced various challenges and conflicts over the years.

One of the most significant conflicts has been over the right to operate casinos and gaming operations. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act granted tribes the right to operate gaming facilities on their reservations, but New York state has historically been resistant to allowing tribal gaming. This has led to lawsuits and ongoing disputes between the tribes and the state government.

Despite the challenges, the Indian gaming tribes in New York have been successful in operating casinos and gaming facilities. In 2021, the six tribes generated over $1.5 billion in gaming revenue, making them a significant economic force in the state.

The six federally recognized Indian gaming tribes in New York are:

• Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort
• Seneca Nation of Indians (three casinos: Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino)
• Oneida Indian Nation (three casinos: Turning Stone Resort Casino, Point Place Casino, and Yellow Brick Road Casino)
• Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (Mohawk Bingo Palace and Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort)
• Cayuga Nation (Lakeside Entertainment)
• Shinnecock Indian Nation (currently in the process of developing a casino)

A History of Gambling in New York

Gambling has a long and storied history in the state of New York, dating back to the early days of European settlement. In fact, the first recorded instance of gambling in the state was a horse race held in 1665. Over the years, gambling has evolved and expanded, with numerous forms of gambling now legal in the state.

In the 1800s, lotteries were a popular form of gambling in New York, with the state even operating its own lottery for a time. However, lotteries were eventually banned in the state in the early 1900s due to concerns about corruption and fraud.

In the 1950s, New York legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, which remains a popular form of gambling in the state to this day. The first off-track betting (OTB) facility in the country was also established in New York in 1971.

In the 1980s and 1990s, New York began to explore the possibility of legalizing casino gambling. The state legislature authorized the operation of a state lottery in 1967, but it wasn’t until 1988 that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed Native American tribes to operate casinos on their reservations. This led to the opening of the first tribal casino in the state, the Turning Stone Resort Casino, in 1993.

In 2001, New York authorized the operation of racetrack casinos, which allowed the state’s racetracks to install video lottery terminals (VLTs). This led to the opening of several racetrack casinos, including the Resorts World Casino New York City in 2011, which is now the largest casino in the state in terms of gaming revenue.

In 2013, New York authorized the operation of commercial casinos, with the goal of generating additional revenue for the state. The first commercial casinos opened in 2017, including the del Lago Resort & Casino, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, and Tioga Downs Casino Resort.

Today, gambling in New York is a major industry, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. In 2021, the state collected over $3.5 billion in gambling revenues, with a significant portion of that revenue coming from commercial and tribal casinos.

While gambling has brought economic benefits to the state, it has also been the subject of controversy and conflict. There have been ongoing disputes between the state and tribal governments over the right to operate casinos, as well as concerns about the social costs of gambling, such as addiction and financial hardship.

Gambling Taxes in New York

If you live in New York and participate in any form of legal gambling, you will be required to pay taxes on your winnings. The exact amount of taxes you owe will depend on the type of gambling you engage in and the amount of your winnings.

For example, if you win more than $5,000 in a lottery or slot machine, you will be required to pay federal taxes of 24%. Additionally, New York State imposes its own taxes on gambling winnings, ranging from 4% to 8.82% depending on the amount won and the type of gambling.

In order to pay your gambling taxes in New York, you will need to keep accurate records of all of your winnings and losses. You will also need to report your gambling income on your state and federal tax returns. If you do not report your gambling winnings, you could face penalties and fines from the IRS and the state of New York.

If you win a large sum of money, such as a lottery jackpot or a large casino payout, you may be required to have taxes withheld from your winnings. In these cases, the casino or lottery agency will typically withhold a percentage of your winnings for taxes and provide you with a W-2G form at the end of the year to report your income.

If you are unsure about how to calculate and pay your gambling taxes in New York, you may want to consider consulting with a tax professional. They can help you navigate the complex tax laws and ensure that you are in compliance with all of the state and federal regulations.

New York Gambling FAQ

How much can you win at New York casinos before being taxed?

If you win more than $1,200 at a New York casino, the casino will typically withhold 24% of your winnings for federal taxes. However, if you provide your Social Security number to the casino, they may only withhold 25% of your winnings above $5,000. You will still be required to report your gambling income on your state and federal tax returns.

How to ban yourself from casinos in New York?

If you are concerned about problem gambling and want to ban yourself from New York casinos, you can enroll in the statewide self-exclusion program. This program allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from all casinos in New York for a specified period of time, ranging from one year to a lifetime. To enroll, you will need to complete an application and provide a photo ID.

Who regulates gambling in New York?

Gambling in New York is regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission. This agency is responsible for overseeing all forms of legal gambling in the state, including casinos, horse racing, and the state lottery. The Gaming Commission is also responsible for enforcing the state’s gambling laws and ensuring that all gambling activities are conducted in a fair and legal manner.

What is the minimum gambling age in New York?

The minimum gambling age in New York varies depending on the type of gambling. For casinos and racetracks, the minimum age is 21. For the state lottery and charitable gaming, the minimum age is 18.

Can I gamble online in New York?

Online gambling is currently illegal in New York, with the exception of online horse racing betting. However, there have been recent discussions about legalizing online sports betting and other forms of online gambling in the state.

What types of gambling are legal in New York?

In addition to the state lottery and charitable gaming, legal forms of gambling in New York include commercial casinos, tribal casinos, racetracks with video lottery terminals, and horse racing.

Can I deduct gambling losses on my taxes in New York?

Yes, you can deduct gambling losses on your New York state tax return, but only to the extent of your gambling winnings. For example, if you win $5,000 in a casino and lose $4,000, you can only deduct $4,000 in losses on your state tax return. You will also need to keep accurate records of your gambling activities to support your deductions.