New York Social Gambling Law

New York is home to a number of regulated gambling markets. The state’s lottery is popular and long-lived. Pari-mutuel wagering is practically a state pastime. Tribal gambling and class-II commercial gambling is easily-accessible for most of the state’s millions of citizens. Charitable games are regulated but allowed, and quite popular under liberal legal conditions.

But some areas of state law are not as clear. In order to understand the legality of more modern contests like daily fantasy sports or online gambling in general, we need to understand the spirit of New York’s criminal code and not just the letter of its code of laws.

New York state law defines gambling as “… the risking of something of value on a future outcome” that is beyond the control of influence of the bettor. In order to be illegal gambling, there must be an expectation of something of value “if a certain outcome occurs.” The longer definition is available in Section 225.00(2) of the state constitution.

New York Social Gambling Law

New York Social Gambling Lawyer

United States Online Gambling Federal Laws. From the first emergence of online gambling those in the federal government thought it necessary to enact laws that any company, whether land based or digital, must follow. Some of the laws that affect the online industry were enacted before the emergence of the online world, but these new gambling forms. The Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act: Below are the two Chapters that comprise the Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act. Chapter 175 amends Chapter 174. Therefore both must be examined to get the full scope of the law. Chapter 174 of the Laws of 2013. Chapter 175 of the Laws of 2013.

New York Social Gambling Lawyers

New york social gambling lawyers

Since the full definition includes a requirement that a person be wagering on a “contest of chance,” it’s nice that the phrase contest of chance is defined further down in the law. A game is a contest of chance if “… the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein.”

We added some emphasis there to showcase that basically any game that involves even the slightest chance element is considered illegal gambling. In other words, there is no consideration for skill involved in a game. Unless New York legislators legalize a gambling game, it is illegal.

Gambling
  • To illustrate, two states laws –New Jersey’s and New York’s — are examples of the most common approach among states legalizing the activity. New Jersey laws: In New Jersey, social gambling per se is not specifically legal. However, it is also not criminal.
  • The New York State Gaming Commission will be conducting a series of Charitable Gaming seminars in the upcoming months in 2020 aimed to help authorized organizations comply with the various laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of licensed authorized Games of Chance and Bingo.
  • New York state law defines gambling as “ the risking of something of value on a future outcome” that is beyond the control of influence of the bettor. In order to be illegal gambling, there must be an expectation of something of value “if a certain outcome occurs.”.

As for the state’s legal gaming options, the most popular is the New York Lottery. More New Yorkers buy lottery tickets than citizens of any state, with greater than 92% participation, according to figures released by the state each summer. New York’s lottery is the second-oldest in the country, active since the late 1960s.

The second most-popular legal gamble for New Yorkers is the state’s twenty tribal facilities. Some of these are tiny racinos, with a few slot and video poker games alongside a simulcast betting window. Still others are massive Vegas-style resorts with giant gaming floors, live dealer tables, and thousands of slot and video poker titles.

Charitable gambling laws in the state are such that operators of charitable games are allowed to offer raffles, bingo, and select casino-style games that benefit a rotating schedule of non-profit groups. This has led to a local industry specializing in the operation of charity events in static locations. Charitable laws are complex, and if you want to operate one legally you’ll need a specific permit from the city.

New

Social gambling is not allowed in New York, by law. A single line was added to existing gaming laws in the 1990s that explicitly outlawed the practice of hosting private games of chance and skill in a home or business, even with a legitimate relationship between all players or in cases where a game without house odds is played and the host isn’t compensated at all. New York has some of the toughest anti-private gambling laws in the country.

  • Gaming

    Approved independent testing laboratories for commercial and video lottery gaming facilities:

    • Gaming Laboratories International, LLC (GLI)

    • BMM Testlabs


    Video Lottery Terminals and Electronic Table Games: Similar in appearance to classic slot machines or as simulated classic table games, these terminals are linked to a centralized system maintained by the Gaming Commission that tracks the game play and earnings for each game.

    • Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have the same appearance as slot machines. VLTs must receive winning outcomes transmitted by the central system.
    • Electronic Table Games (ETGs) offer video versions of popular casino games like roulette, craps, and baccarat. ETGs are capable of generating winning outcomes at each table.

    Video lottery gaming operations began in 2004 at Saratoga Gaming & Raceway in Saratoga Springs and have since expanded to eight additional facilities. As of January 1, 2013, there were 17,213 such machines operating in New York State.

    Indian Gaming: In 1988 Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act permitting federally recognized Indian tribes the ability to conduct gaming activities under certain circumstances. This law allows traditional Indian gaming, bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games on tribal land. However, it requires a Tribal/State compact for all other forms of gaming. Three tribes have lawful gaming in New York State:

    • The Seneca Nation of Indians operate the Class III Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, the Class III Seneca Allegany Casino, the Class III Seneca Buffalo Casino in Buffalo, and Class II bingo on both their Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservation lands
    • The St. Regis Mohawks operate the Class II Mohawk Bingo Palace and the Class III Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, which also houses Class II poker games
    • The Oneida Indian Nation of New York operates the Turning Stone Casino, which houses both Class II bingo and poker, as well as its Class III gaming operations.

    The Gaming Commission maintains a constant twenty-four hour presence within the gaming facilities of the five Class III facilities to maintain the integrity of all activities conducted in regard to Class III gaming, and to insure the fair and honest operation of such gaming activities. Additionally, the State conducts background investigations on all employees of the casino and enterprises who conduct gaming related business with the casino to ensure their suitability. Pursuant to each Compact the State jointly regulates Class III gaming facilities with a Nation or Tribal Gaming Agency, respectively. Class II gaming activities, e.g., bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games, are regulated by the Tribe in conjunction with the National Indian Gaming Commission, although tribes, under certain circumstances, may self-regulate these activities.

  • Voluntary Self Exclusion


    To voluntarily exclude from New York State gaming facilities, including casinos, horse racing, off-track betting, video lottery gaming and interactive fantasy sports activities in New York State pursuant to Title 9 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York and New York Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law section 1404(1)(d):
    Please complete the form:
    Request for Voluntary Self-Exclusion from All Gaming Facilities and Entities Licensed, Permitted or Registered by the New York State Gaming Commission.
    The notarized form, with photograph as per instructions, should be mailed to:

    New York State Gaming Commission
    Director of Education & Community Relations
    PO Box 7500
    Schenectady, New York 12301-7500
    Individuals may also self-exclude at licensed gaming facilities across the state.
  • Commercial Gaming Reports

    TIOGA DOWNS CASINO
    2384 W River Rd
    Nichols, NY 13812-1406
    1-888-WIN-TIOGA
    1-888-946-8464
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
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    Weekly Financial
    Report
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    DEL LAGO RESORT AND CASINO
    1133 Route 414
    Waterloo, NY 13165
    315-946-1777
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download PDF
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download PDF
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    RIVERS CASINO & RESORT
    1 Rush Street
    Schenectady, NY 12308
    518-579-8800
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download PDF
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    Weekly Financial
    Report
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    RESORTS WORLD CATSKILLS
    888 Resorts World Drive
    Monticello, NY 12701
    833-586-9358
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download PDF
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download PDF
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  • Video Gaming Reports

    RESORTS WORLD CASINO NEW YORK CITY
    110-00 Rockaway Blvd
    Jamaica, NY 11420
    (718) 215-2828
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel

    download Excel

    NASSAU OTB AT RESORTS WORLD CASINO NEW YORK CITY
    110-00 Rockaway Blvd
    Jamaica, NY 11420
    (888) 888-8801
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
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    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
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    EMPIRE CITY CASINO AT YONKERS RACEWAY
    810 Yonkers Avenue
    Yonkers, NY 10704
    (914) 968-4200
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel

    download Excel

    SARATOGA CASINO - HOTEL
    342 Jefferson St
    Saratoga Springs, NY
    12866 (518) 584-2110
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
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    FINGER LAKES GAMING & RACETRACK
    5857 Route 96
    Farmington, NY 14425
    (585) 924-3232
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
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    MONTICELLO CASINO & RACEWAY
    204 State Route 17B
    Monticello, NY 12701
    (845) 794-4100
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel

    HAMBURG GAMING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS
    5600 McKinley Parkway
    Hamburg, NY 14075
    (716) 646-6109
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
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    TIOGA DOWNS CASINO
    2384 W River Rd
    Nichols, NY 13812-1406
    1-888-WIN-TIOGA
    1-888-946-8464
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel

    VERNON DOWNS CASINO & HOTEL
    4229 Stuhlman Rd
    Vernon, NY 13476
    877-88-VERNON
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel

    BATAVIA DOWNS GAMING
    8315 Park Road
    Batavia, NY 14020
    (585) 343-3750
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
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    JAKES 58 HOTEL & CASINO
    3635 Express Drive N
    Islandia, NY 11749
    (631) 232-3000
    visit website
    Monthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    STATEWIDE
    All Video Gaming LocationsMonthly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel
    Weekly Financial
    Report
    download pdf
    download Excel


  • Responsible Gaming

    The New York State Gaming Commission, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the New York Council on Problem Gambling have formed the Responsible Play Partnership to address problem gambling in New York State. The Responsible Play Partnership is addressing a variety of issues surrounding problem gambling, including ensuring that gaming venues comply with all rules and regulations and undertake proper outreach measures, reevaluating self-exclusion policies across the state to ensure consistency, and considering the best ways to advance New York’s long-term commitment to prevent and treat compulsive gambling.

    The issue of problem gambling is an important one. If you need help or want information, or know someone else who does, here are some places to start:

    Problem Gambling Awareness Month

    24-Hour Problem Gambling Helpline

    1-877-846-7369 TEXT: HOPENY (467369)

  • Laws, Rules & Regulations


    Rules and regulations concerning the Division of Gaming can be found in the Rules section of this website,here


    The Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act: Below are the two Chapters that comprise the Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act. Chapter 175 amends Chapter 174. Therefore both must be examined to get the full scope of the law.

    • Chapter 174 of the Laws of 2013

    • Chapter 175 of the Laws of 2013

  • Indian Gaming

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    • Development of Indian Gaming Law

    • Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Buttersworth

    • California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians

    • Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988

    • Indian Gambling After Seminole Tribe v. Florida

    • New York Compacts and Provisions

    • Casino Contact Information

  • Locations


    View New York State Gaming Commission Locations (VLTs) in a larger map