New York Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in New York
Perhaps it is the need to be competitive with nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Montreal, Canada, that opened New York’s eyes to the benefit to allowing casinos in New York. Electronic table games, horse betting, and video lottery terminals are easy to find throughout the state.
History of Gambling in New York
Historically, gambling in New York was first allowed and used to help pay for state public works projects, repairs and construction of churches, and incentives to bring more businesses into the state. This changed in the 1800s when lotteries were prohibited on the basis that the act of gambling was immoral. In 1894, the laws changed to also ban bookmaking.
While race track betting was legalized again in 1939, it wouldn’t be until 1966 that the next step was taken by allowing lotteries that would go towards the education fund. Charitable gaming was legalized in 1975. In 2003, New York entered a compact with the St. Regis Mohawks to open a New York casino in the upper part of the state.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in New York
While the age limit to play the state-run lotteries is 18 or older, to play in New York casinos and online casinos that allow New York players, you must be at least 21.
New York’s Casino Gambling Outlook
In 2013, the face of gambling in New York really changed. Voters approved a change to the constitution authorizing up to seven new casinos in the state. The first stage allows four new casinos to come to Upstate New York where jobs are desperately needed. As of 2014, 16 companies had submitted applications. Many current casinos have opened online casinos in New York where guests can play for fun, so it makes sense that real money play will be their next goal.
Local Casinos
Many casinos in New York State are open for business. New York’s mix of casinos are spread throughout the state.
Allegany County Casinos
• Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Oil Spring is situated south of Buffalo. Here, you will find more than 110 mechanical gambling machines with bets starting as low as a penny.
Cattaraugus County Casinos
• Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca offers slots and table games in their location. In addition, if you want to play for fun, its online New York casino is available.
• Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Irving is near the lake, just a short drive from Buffalo. In addition to the bingo hall, there is a small game room with a variety of games.
• Seneca Gaming and Entertainment Salamanca is also in Salamanca on Broad Street. This location has a game room and a bingo hall.
Erie County Casinos
• The Fairgrounds offers a gaming app for play-for-fun casino games. The main draws are the harness racing and 55,000-square-foot gaming floor.
• Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino houses more than 800 slot machines and a large room with table games. They also have the Seneca On-the-Go App for play-for-fun slot games.
Franklin County Casinos
• Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is one of the first casinos in New York and it’s a popular venue. The 130,000-square-foot casino has 1,800 slot games, a huge bingo hall called Mohawk Bingo Palace, and 30 table games.
Genesee County Casinos
• Batavia Downs Gaming offers horse betting, but there’s far more to do here. Find a range of video slot machines and many daily promotions and entertainment options on-site.
Niagara County Casinos
• Seneca Niagara Casino is in Niagara Falls, just minutes from the Canadian border. Pokers, slots, and table games are all available.
Oneida County Casinos
• Turning Stone Resort & Casino has it all. From bingo to table games and a poker room to slots, this casino is certain to please.
• Vernon Downs & Casino holds harness racing from April to November. There are also more than 750 gaming machines with bets starting at as little as a penny.
Ontario County Casinos
• Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track features horse racing throughout the year. There’s also a game room with more than 1,500 slots and video poker options.
Queens County Casinos
• Resorts World Casino New York is one of the best options for visitors to New York City. This NYC casino has over 5,000 slots, video poker, and video roulette machines.
Sullivan County Casinos
• Monticello Gaming & Raceway houses more than 1,000 slots and electronic table games. There’s also the raceway with horse races.
Tioga County Casinos
• Tioga Downs & Casino features horse races outside, but the gaming floor has slots and options like electronic roulette among its 800 gaming machines.
Westchester County Casinos
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway houses 5,500 slot machines, including the popular progressive Wheel of Fortune slots. Electronic table games and live racing are also at this New York casino.