New York Poker Gambling - A Look at the Legal Status of Poker in NY
The gambling landscape in the United States has undergone quite a range of changes in the last few years, and this can make figuring out what is and is not legal concerning gambling a bit confusing. New York is no exception. They are currently undergoing a casino gambling expansion within the state, while simultaneously efforts are being made to legalize online poker. Keeping up with the ebb and flow of all of the changes, set backs and progress is challenging for anyone, much less those outside of the industry. This guide was designed to assist you in navigating the legalities of poker gambling in the Empire State so that you can make an informed decision regarding what type of poker options is best for your and your unique situation. We will touch on the legalities of both online and offline poker gameplay, as well as how to determine which destinations are suitable and legitimate.
Best Online Poker Site Accepting New York Players
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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.
History of Poker in New York
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.
