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Best New York Online Poker Sites 2025
Looking forward to playing online poker in New York? We have good news for you. Even though your state doesn’t regulate online poker in New York for real money, it doesn’t consider it illegal – you can play without consequences. But where? Wolrdpokerdeals presents you with the three best poker sites for NY poker players. Moreover, our team will provide instructions on how you can start playing online poker, from creating an account to making the first deposit.
Top sites for online poker in New York
Although you can only access a few poker sites from New York, which one should you choose? Some of them are subpar due to stingy promotions, poor traffic and game selection, and other factors.
To help you avoid picking a so-so site, we have tested the New York online poker market. We have also taken into account numerous reviews from Worldpokerdeals players. Check out the best options right now.
Poker site | Bonuses | Rakeback |
---|---|---|
BetOnline Poker | 100% up to $1,000 | VIP |
ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% flat or up to 65% |
Ignition Poker | up to $3,000 | up to 20% |
CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 33%+ |
Everygame Poker | 200% up to $1,000 | 36% |
Need help choosing the best poker site to play at? Contact us:
BetOnline Poker
BetOnline Poker is one of the few international online poker sites that has been accepting players from New York for over 20 years.
BetOnline is the flagship site of the US-friendly Chico Poker Network and is renowned for its soft play in Texas Holdem and Pmaga games up to $1k. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are guaranteed each week on the tournament schedule.
The first deposit at BetOnline Poker automatically activates a 100% welcome bonus up to $1,000. The poker room does not have a loyalty program, but players can earn rakeback through an exclusive VIP deal from WPD and by participating in rake races.
There are 19 cryptocurrencies available for deposits and withdrawals in the cashier. The transaction system is completely secure and flawless; players from NY, in most cases, receive their winnings within 24 hours.
CoinPoker
For New York poker players who value privacy and understand how cryptocurrencies work, CoinPoker will be a great alternative.
At CoinPoker, you do not need to verify your identity in order to play and withdraw winnings. A decentralized RNG on the blockchain is responsible for the fairness of the hands at the tables.
The poker room offers access to cash games in NLH, PLO and PLO5 with stakes from $0.01 /0.02 to $200/ 400, mainly at 7-max tables. Regular tournaments have guarantees of up to $100,000.
CoinPoker players receive:
- Bonus 150% up to $ 2,000 on the first deposit (50% rakeback).
- Fixed rakeback 33% every Monday based on the results of the previous week.
- Access to regular rake races.
ACR Poker
Lastly, we’d like to recommend ACR Poker. ACR (former Americas Cardroom) is one of the few international poker rooms that has been accepting players from NY for over 15 years. The poker room hosts the biggest online tournaments, giving you the chance to win your share of $12,500,000 in the legendary GTO Venom Tournament.
Besides being pro-oriented, ACR is also welcoming toward beginners, promising a 27% flat rakeback and a $2,000+ deposit match to every newcomer.
Our ranking criteria for choosing the best NY online poker sites
We rank every poker room according to the five criteria:
- License. When the online poker site obtains a license, it becomes legally exposed, which guarantees fairness and transparency. We prefer recommending sites with UKGC, Isle of Man, Malta, and Curaçao licenses.
- Background. With more than 3 years behind the scenes, zero court cases, and a mostly positive reputation among poker players is certainly a reliable choice.
- Security. We ensure the safety of your data and cash by recommending rooms with software from certified providers and SSL encryption.
- Cashier. Depositing and withdrawing winnings is crucial, which is why we pick the sites with the widest range of payment options (e-wallets, credit cards, and crypto). We also prefer sites with low fees and fast payment processing.
- Games and traffic. Players like different poker types, so the sites we recommend always feature at least Texas Hold’Em and Omaha cash games and MTTs. Traffic is also an important factor, so player activity peaks at NY time.
Overall, the poker sites we've selected cater specifically to the needs and requirements of both amateur and professional players.
Is online poker legal in New York?
No, as of mid‑2025, real‑money online poker remains illegal in New York.
Despite numerous legislative efforts over the years, New York has not yet legalized online poker. While the state’s laws don’t explicitly mention online poker, New York’s broad definition of gambling under its penal code (Section 225.00), which includes contests involving chance even if skill plays a role, effectively renders real‑money online poker illegal.
Even though no New York–based sites are permitted, offshore poker sites like Black Chip Poker, ACR Poker, BetOnline, Ignition Casino accept New York residents. These poker platforms operate in a legal gray zone and are not regulated by NY authorities. We recommend sticking with offshore sites with licenses, as they guarantee the safety of your data and bankroll.
Alternatively, you can travel to neighbouring states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania to play on legal US poker sites. Their governments recognize online poker and allow several sites.
Another gambling activity that is crucial for poker players is fantasy sports. Besides just being fun (you place wagers on emulated games between famous players), fantasy sports are important for poker legalization. When fantasy sports became legal, they used the same argument that applies to poker: their product is a game of skill. Thus, lawmakers' efforts can potentially make online poker legal in NY in the future.
Type of poker | Is legal? |
---|---|
Real‑money online poker | ❌ Not legal (no licensed sites exist) |
Offshore poker sites | ⚠️ Operate in gray area |
Live poker | ✅ Legal and regulated |
Sweepstakes poker | ⚠️ Mostly prohibited |
Sweepstakes poker - not in NY anymore
Previously, New Yorkers could participate in sweepstakes model poker sites like Global Poker. It's a social poker format where you play with virtual currency (Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins) instead of real money. Sweeps Coins could be redeemed for real money at a 1:1 ratio, operating within a legal loophole.
However, from June 2025, these platforms have been restricted or removed from New York due to new regulatory actions. A press release on the website of the New York State Attorney General's Office stated that:
"Attorney Letitia James has banned online casino sweepstakes from operating in the state. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG), in cooperation with the New York State Gaming Commission, has identified 26 such platforms."
Including:
- Global Poker disabled Sweeps Coin play for NY users starting July 2, 2025, with final redemption deadlines in early August 2025.
- ClubsPoker and Stake.us also exited the state.
Will NY legalize online poker?
The recent effort took place on January 21, 2025, when Senator Joseph Addabbo introduced a new bill, SB2614, to the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. The document lays out the framework for licensing online poker rooms, casinos, sports betting sites and video lottery terminals (VLTs) in New York.
Key highlights of SB2614 include:
- A one-time license fee of $2 million for operators and $10 million for gaming platform developers.
- An operator can open only one skin.
- The gross revenue tax would be 30.5%.
- Servers must be located in a licensed area.
- Mandatory compliance with responsible gaming rules, including age verification, self-exclusion tools, and support for programs for people with gambling addiction problems.
- The annual limit on credit card deposits will be $2,500. If the amount of card deposits exceeds this, the operator must request proof of the absence of gambling problems from the player.
The bill also states that any operator who previously operated in the state illegally will lose the right to apply for a license. A special New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) division would monitor compliance with the law and issue permits.
The only unusual thing about this new bill is that the provision allowing joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows pooling different online poker sites across multiple states, is removed. It means that poker liquidity would remain limited to within the state.
What are the chances of the law being passed in 2025?
Addabboo is actively seeking support from Governor Kathy Hochul by quoting the success of New York's mobile sports betting program, which was launched in 2022 and quickly became the largest in the country. However, some experts point out that the new bill is unlikely to be approved.
The Hotel Trades Council (HTC) opposes SB2614, believing the potential exodus of players to the online environment could hurt live gaming. Like everywhere else, New York has citizens concerned about the state's potential social impacts of online casinos.
Even if the new law is passed, it will take at least 18 months for the first online poker rooms to open their doors in the state. New York, with nearly 20 million residents, would become the state with the country's largest legal online poker market.
How to play poker online in New York: step-by-step
Once you find a poker site you prefer (whether it’s from our list or from your own research), you can join it in the following way:
- Visit the website. Ensure you’re accessing an official website specified for the NY region.
Register an account. Click “Registration” and indicate your phone number, email, password, etc. - Download and install the poker client. You can get an application for Android, iOS, and Windows to access poker rooms with top convenience.
- Verify your account. To unlock withdrawals from poker sites, you must verify your identity by providing the site’s management with your passport, driver’s license, etc.
- Deposit and start playing.
Keep in mind that you will most likely need to verify your account before withdrawing winnings, as poker rooms often must comply with Know Your Client (KYC) policies.
New York card rooms
Unlike online poker, New York does regulate land-based poker. What’s the purpose of visiting it? It’s a completely different experience; you can read other players’ emotions, which enhances your ability to expose bluffing. Here are some brick-and-mortar NY card rooms to visit:
Card Room |
Number of Tables
|
---|---|
Turning Stone Resort Casino | 32 |
Resorts World Catskills | 19 |
Rivers Casino and Resort | 16 |
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | 23 |
Del Lago Resort & Casino | 14 |
Tioga Downs Casino Resort | 12 |
Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino | 8 |
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort | 5 |
Deposit and withdrawal methods at NY online poker sites
Online poker sites available in NY offer different deposits and withdrawals. However, as NY online poker isn’t legal, you can use primarily crypto. So, if you have a web3 wallet with some BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC, DOGE, etc., it will be easy for you to jump into off-shore sites.
Sometimes, e-wallets are displayed as available on cashier pages for NY residents. However, it doesn’t mean they are. Once you log into the site and try to pay with Skrill, Neteller, Webmoney, etc., you won’t succeed.
History of poker and gambling in New York
As you already know from this page, New York doesn’t allow online gambling to this day. But what about gambling in the younger years of the state? Gambling was extremely widespread in NYC in the 20th century. The town featured plenty of discreet venues with games of chance such as cards, dice, and numbers, as well as betting on sports events, chiefly horse racing, regardless of their illegal nature.
Casino gambling was legalized only in 2013. It’s when the New York State Constitution was amended, allowing several land-based casinos (we’ve enlisted them in New York card rooms).
Best poker players from NY
New York's top poker players are known not only in the USA but far beyond.
Bryn Kenney has been playing the most expensive tournaments around the world for ten years and has earned more than $67 million - the number one ranking in the world. Bryn holds the largest prize money in poker history at $20,563,324. This was for finishing 2nd in the $1.3M Triton Million tournament in 2019.
Isaac Haxton has more than $50 million in lifetime earnings and is ranked in the world's top 10. After starting his career playing online poker (more than $2 million on Full Tilt Poker alone), Haxton won his first major live tournament ($861,789) in 2007 - 2nd place in the WPT Championship Event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Haxton's biggest payout of $3,672,000 was in 2018 in the $300K Super High Roller Bowl V event.
Erik Seidel is a Poker Hall of Fame member and a truly legendary player. He came to poker after playing backgammon professionally for 8 years. Seidel won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets between 1992 and 2023. By the end of 2024, Erik has 7 career earnings of over $1 million.
Conclusion
Online poker in NY is in a gray area. Even though it means that you don’t have to pay fees, you also can’t deposit cash into online poker sites with tools besides crypto wallets, which is limiting.
What online poker rooms should you choose? CoinPoker, BetOnline, and ACR Poker, which are reviewed on this page, are perfect options for any NY resident. However, if you don’t like them, you can find another site. When you do, make sure you check their license, background, security, games, and the time zone they operate in.
Responsible gambling
Poker is one of the most entertaining card games that requires strong analytical skills and an ability to bluff. For some players, the fun can run out. When you start spending more money on poker than you can afford and the game starts to affect your life, you know you’re in trouble. Top NY online poker sites ward you away from them. They follow responsible gaming practices, helping their customers to detect and fight gambling addictions. You can find extra support regarding such issues here:
- NY State Office of Addiction Services and Supports – 1-877-8-HOPENY
- New York Council on Problem Gambling – 1-877-846-7369
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
Above all, we encourage all players to control their gambling behaviors and play moderately. If you feel like you’ve been gambling more often or playing compulsively recently, consider making a pause and seeking advice.
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