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Playing online poker in New York means being able to take advantage of various games, tournaments, rakeback, and freerolls. With anonymous tables, quick seats, and zone poker, there’s so much to loFok forward to when playing on the best real money sites.
Because of the legal situation in the Big Apple, there are no local online poker rooms to speak of. However, this doesn’t mean that players in NYC aren’t able to participate. Our guide takes a look at the current poker laws, software used by top sites, and more.
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Popular
- Freerolls
- Satellites
- Rakeback
- Mobile app
- Anonymous tables
- High traffic
Popular
100% match deposit bonus of up to $1,000
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- 1. CoinPoker - The Best New York Online Poker Site
- 2. BetOnline - Editor’s Choice for High Stakes Poker Tournaments in NY
- 3. BC.Game - Exclusive Poker Games from an In-House Provider
- 4. ACR - Poker Tournaments Worth up to $12.5 Million
- 5. Black Chip - Home to the Best Satellite & Qualifier Tournaments
- Show Full Guide
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- 1. CoinPoker - The Best New York Online Poker Site
- 2. BetOnline - Editor’s Choice for High Stakes Poker Tournaments in NY
- 3. BC.Game - Exclusive Poker Games from an In-House Provider
- 4. ACR - Poker Tournaments Worth up to $12.5 Million
- 5. Black Chip - Home to the Best Satellite & Qualifier Tournaments
Is Online Poker Legal in New York?
If you’re asking, “Is online poker legal in NY?” the concise answer is no. However, this simply means that the state legislature has yet to create a regulated marketplace or issue licenses to national operators. However, there’s no law that prohibits you from wagering at offshore poker rooms.
There’s nothing stopping offshore online poker rooms from operating in New York. This means that it is lawful to play poker on offshore sites and wager real money. The poker rooms listed above are particularly highly recommended, as they are licensed by a reputable offshore entity and are secured by 128-bit SSL encryption.
New York Poker Laws: When Will New York Regulate Online Poker?
After a quiet few years on the legislation front, a new bill (S9226) was put forward on May 7th, 2024. Penned by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., this seeks to issue up to 10 licenses for interactive poker in the state and create a fully regulated marketplace for legal online poker sites.
We’ll explore this bill in a little more detail below. However, it’s a detailed piece of legislation that sets a balanced tax rate and makes provisions for responsible gambling, so it’s possible that New York could legalize online poker by 2026.
Regulations and Laws for Poker in New York
Bill S9226 is the latest legislative attempt to legalize online poker in NY. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the most recent bills and how they’ve fared in the House and Senate.
Key Facts About Poker in NYC
Legal online poker in New York is a much-talked-about subject. The table below gives you a better idea of the current situation.
| Is Poker Legal? | No. Only regulated on social/sweepstakes casino sites |
|---|---|
| Top Poker in New York Online Site | CoinPoker |
| Regulated Online Poker | Plans to launch in 2026 at the earliest |
| Available Games | Texas Hold’em, Omaha & others |
| Legal Age | 18 |
Comparison of Online Poker Sites in New York
Before deciding which of the best sites for online poker in NYC to try out first, you should take the time to compare important points such as rakeback, software used, and poker rake percetage. To help you out, we’ve provided more details about our top poker sites.
| Online Poker Room | Poker Rake % | Poker Software | Rakeback | Multi Table Events | Sit and Go Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 33% | Proprietary | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline | N/A | Chico Network | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BC.Game | 36% | Horizon Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACR | 27% | America’s Cardroom | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Black Chip | 27% | Horizon Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Top 5 NY Online Poker Sites Reviewed
Although all of our NY online poker rooms are an excellent choice for those who enjoy high-traffic sites and rewarding tournaments, you should still take a look at both the strengths and weaknesses of each before creating an account.
To show you why our top 5 sites are the best for online poker as well as where they could do with some improvements, we’ve put together more information below.
1. CoinPoker – The Best New York Online Poker Site
- Poker Network: Proprietary
- Freerolls: Yes
- Poker Variants: Texas Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha
CoinPoker is a true market leader in NY, with its popular pot-limit Omaha title offering six and four table games. You can also play 5-card pot limit Omaha for as little as $0.02 per bet. For high rollers, CoinPoker’s no-limit Texas Hold ‘em titles come highly recommended, while this previously produced the biggest ever online poker pot at $7.75 million.
CoinPoker’s rake may also be called ‘Community Contributions’. It’s also linked directly to the site’s native CHP crypto token, as holders can access rakeback of up to 33% on selected tournaments and cash games. This follows a 150% up to $2,000 welcome bonus, with very reasonable wagering requirements compared to rival sites. Simply generate 2x the bonus value in rake to release the whole reward.
CoinPoker’s range of tournaments includes competitions for both casual players and high rollers. The former include ‘Free Buy’ events, while players who want to pursue big cash payouts can target ‘Big Stacks’ and ‘Signature Tournaments.’ The site’s trademark ‘CSOP’ tournament also carries a guaranteed minimum payout of at least $1 million.
Pros
- Processes all payouts instantly
- Access ‘Free Buy’ tournaments and generous cash prizes
- Rakeback of up to 33% when you hold the native CHP token
- Win huge pots through No-limit Texas Hold ‘em games and tournaments
- CoinMasters promotion with over $250,000 worth of prizes
Cons
- No fiat deposits available for US players
2. BetOnline – Editor’s Choice for High Stakes Poker Tournaments in NY
- Poker Network: Chico Network
- Freerolls: Yes
- Poker Variants: No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 5, Omaha 6, Boost Cash Games
Belonging to the excellent Chico Network, BetOnline’s cash games offer flexible bet limits between $0.05 to $5. No Limit Hold ’em is also incredibly popular here, as are the site’s Omaha 5 and Omaha 6 interpretations. BetOnline’s real money online poker games in New York also include so-called ‘Boost’ titles.
These deliver high octane gameplay and frequent payouts and are widely accessible to PLO and NLHE players. Its rakeback offer is designed for frequent or high rolling players who access weekly tournaments. There are even tiered offers depending on the frequency and scale with which you rate.
The top rake amount of $1,925 or above will deliver the highest prize and percentage to players. BetOnline relies heavily on the popular Texas Hold’em and Omaha formats for its tournaments, which include money builders and progressive bounties.
Pros
- Rapid boost games available to PLO and NLHE players
- Tournament Money Builders establish low buy-ins for players
- Sunday Major ‘Main Event’ offers a guaranteed minimum of $150k
- Anonymous tables
Cons
- There aren’t many versions of Texas Hold ‘em available
3. BC.Game – Exclusive Poker Games from an In-House Provider
- Poker Network: BC Poker
- Freerolls: Yes
- Poker Variants: Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo
BC.Game offers poker games through its exclusive software BC Poker features Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Short Deck. The latter uses just 36 cards and fast-paced gameplay. We recommend utilizing the multi-table tournaments, where players compete on a global scale for large prize pools.
There is an insurance feature for high-risk situations. Pay a small fee to insure your bet. BC Poker’s 36% rakeback is one of the best online. There is also a loyalty program that rewards crypto users.
Games can be accessed on desktop and mobile, with a native app available for download on iOS and Android devices. You can create custom poker rooms for private play among friends.
Pros
- Enjoy 36% rakeback
- Custom poker rooms
- Exclusive poker games
- Offers a useful insurance feature
Cons
- Strict welcome bonus T&Cs
4. ACR – Poker Tournaments Worth up to $12.5 Million
- Poker Network: America’s Cardroom
- Freerolls: Yes
- Poker Variants: No Limit Texas Hold’ em, Pot Limit Omaha, PLO
ACR allows you to play poker for real money on desktop and mobile. Downloadable software from America’s Cardroom offers many variants, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Reshuffle technology ensures for a safe experience. Tournament tickets, double or nothing, and auto top up features add to the appeal for players in NYC.
Blitz Poker is another option. It offers increased hand play rate, rewards, and a shared player system. ACR offers one of the largest welcome bonuses. You can claim a 100% bonus up to $2,000 after signing up.
There are tournaments that suit beginners and high rollers. Held daily, buy-ins start at just $0.50. Freeroll, knockout, and other versions are found. Place bets after depositing through Visa, Mastercard, or Bitcoin.
Pros
- Quick payouts
- Operating since 2001
- Mobile app for iOS and Android users
- Poker tournaments worth millions in prize funds
Cons
- Welcome bonus released in $1 increments
5. Black Chip – Home to the Best Satellite & Qualifier Tournaments
- Poker Network: Horizon
- Freerolls: Yes
- Poker Variants: No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Texas Hold ‘em, Pot-Limit Omaha, NLH, PLO
Black Chip is another experienced poker room available in New York. Offering 27% fixed rakeback, you can claim up to 65% rakeback if you reach the highest VIP status. Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants can be enjoyed, with Horizon software used. There are also Blitz, MTT, and Spin & Go titles.
Traffic is largely from the US, which suits players from NYC. Tournaments come with buy-ins that suit beginners and high rollers. Black Chip is the best option for satellite and qualifier contests.
The welcome bonus at Black Chip is worth 100% up to $2,000. Payouts are processed quickly, particularly for Bitcoin users. Deposits start at $20, with withdrawals capped at $25,000.
Pros
- 27% fixed rakeback
- Million Dollar Sundays
- 9-Max and PLO games
- Up to 65% rakeback for top VIP players
Cons
- Fiat payouts can take many days
Online Poker Tournaments in New York
After taking a look at the best NY online poker sites and what they have to offer, it’s now time to dive into the various tournaments, how they work and who are they most suitable for.
Satellite Tournaments
Satellite tournaments eschew cash prizes in exchange for entry into often more expensive competitions at land-based casinos.
For example, winning a Satellite tournament in NYC may afford you entry into the ‘Empire State Hold ’Em Championships’ at the city’s Turning Stone Resort Casino. This comes with a guaranteed prize pool of $100,000 and enables you to compete at an elite level of gameplay.
Multi Table Tournaments
MTTs see a number of competitive tables played simultaneously. This tournament format is synonymous with affordable buy-ins and large guaranteed minimums.
Everygame is one of the leading online poker sites in New York when it comes to MTTs, with some events delivering guaranteed minimum payouts of $10,000 and up. This tournament format is known to attract highly competitive players.
Deep Stack Tournaments
‘Deep’ or ‘Big’ stack tournaments are also popular in NYC. Typically aimed at high stakes players, this format combines the very best of lucrative cash games and tournament poker.
Deep stack tournaments usually feature more than 100 big blinds and high antes. Juicy Stakes Poker’s ‘Sunday Myriad’ tournament is a deep stack event, and one that features a guaranteed minimum payout of $10,000.
How to Play Online Poker in New York: An NY Poker Site Sign-Up Guide
Before you can play online poker in NY, you’ll need to sign up with one of our recommended sites. The registration process is broadly the same for each operator, to show you how easy it is to get started, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide below.
Visit the Homepage
You’ll first have to enter the URL of your chosen poker room into your desktop or mobile browser. Then, hit the ‘Register’ or ‘Signup’ button. When registering with CoinPoker, for example, you’ll find this icon located in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
Confirm Your Account Access Details
You’ll then be prompted to provide a verifiable email and unique username. Your site will also ask for a password to help secure your new account.Verify Your Email Mobile Number
Once confirmed, the site may send a verification message to the email provided. Click through the link included in the message to complete this process. Similarly, you may be required to verify your mobile number via SMS message. Be sure to pick the correct country code when providing your number. You’ll receive a verification message within minutes. Deposit funds to your account.Start Playing!
By now, your personal details and account should be verified. You can then browse the relevant poker room and hit the tables. Just remember to complete your first deposit and meet the minimum limits laid out by the relevant terms and conditions.
Bonuses on Offer at Online Poker Sites in New York
the best online poker sites in NY have designed their bonuses to suit poker fans specifically, which is why you’ll find a variety of options on most sites. Next, we’ll take a look at a few of the most common offers as well as what you need to know about each.
- Welcome Bonus – You can claim a bonus after creating an account. Welcome offers are generally match deposit bonuses. For example, 100% up to $1,000. Minimum deposit, wagering requirements, and other T&Cs apply.
- Rakeback Bonus – It is possible to earn a proportion of the rake back. Rakeback is used to reward loyalty. The percentage ranges from 5% to 33%.
- Bad Beat Jackpot – Selected operators offer you a bonus when your “good” hand is beaten by an even better one. This bonus type caters to experienced players who can quickly recognize good and bad hands.
- Weekly Boost Leaderboard – Compete against others to finish at the top of the leaderboard. Earn points by placing bets. Rewards include tournament entry, cash, and freerolls.
- Freerolls – Freerolls allow you to play poker without risking your money. There are also freeroll tournaments, which have no entry fee.
Compare Bonuses at New York’s Online Poker Rooms
Our recommended NYC online poker rooms have all made an effort to provide new members with an excellent start to their gambling experience by offering generous welcome bonuses.
However, they do differ slightly when it comes to maximum bonus limits, minimum deposit requirements, validity periods and wagering requirements, as you can see in the table below.
| Online Casino | Poker Bonus | Rollover | Minimum Deposit | Bonus expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 2x the bonus value in rake | $10 | 30 days |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $1000 | $5 released for every $50 earned in rake | $50 | 30 day |
| BC.Game | 100% bonus + 400 free spins | 35x | $10 | 7 days |
| ACR | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned | $25 | 60 days |
| Black Chip | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned | $10 | 60 days |
Best Poker Games in New York
Iterations of Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha are the most popular at online poker sites in New York. However, there are other types of poker game available online, each of which have their own distinct format and rules. For example:
- No Limit Texas Hold’em: This is arguably the most popular poker game in NYC, even above fixed limit versions of the game. This iteration features two ‘hole’ cards and five ‘community’ cards, the latter of which are dealt face up in increments of three.
- Omaha: This iteration of Omaha also deals five community cards, three of which will need to be combined with two hole cards to create the best possible hand. Betting is a little more straightforward here, so Omaha is arguably a little more popular among new or casual players
- Omaha Hi-Lo: This iteration of Omaha may also be referred to as ‘Omaha Eight or Better’ or simply ‘Omaha 8’. Essentially, this is a split pot game in which the highest hand wins exactly half the final pot. The remainder is paid to the player with the best ‘low’ hand.
- Pot Limit Omaha: Our final version of Omaha features a pot limit. So, there’s a maximum bet limit in play here, which is typically the combined value of the chips in the pot.
- Five Card Draw: ‘Five card draw’ is less commonly found at online poker NYC sites. However, it’s another simple and popular game with a cult following. You’ll be dealt five cards initially, three of which can be discarded and replaced to create superior online poker hands.
- Seven Card Stud: Last but not least, we come to ‘Seven Card Stud’. This game starts with two cards being drawn face down and another face up. Betting will then commence before three further ‘up’ cards are drawn.
Poker Software Used at Online Poker Sites in New York
Although you’ll find classic games like Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha at most online poker rooms in NYC, some sites offer a few extra choices that others might not. To show you what to expect when you visit our recommended sites, we’ve provided more information below.
| Poker Room | Poker Game Provider/s | Games Provided |
|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | Proprietary | Texas Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha |
| BetOnline | Chico Network | No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 5, Omaha 6, Boost Cash Games |
| BC.Game | BC Poker | No-Limit Hold ’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo |
| ACR | America’s Cardroom | No Limit Texas Hold’ em, Pot Limit Omaha, PLO |
| Black Chip | Black Chip Poker | No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Texas Hold ‘em, Pot-Limit Omaha, NLH, PLO |
U.S. State Poker
You will now know how New York online poker works. Check out the guides below for information on this form of gambling in other US states.
| Online Poker Sites in Illinois | Michigan Online Poker Sites |
| Best Online Poker Sites in Florida | Best California Online Poker Sites |
| Online Poker in Texas | Poker Sites in Colorado |
Top 3 Land-Based Poker Rooms in New York
Playing poker in New York isn’t only an online pastime. In fact, there are several brick-and-mortar casinos that currently feature poker rooms and host tournaments in the state. Here’s our pick of the top three land-based poker rooms in NYC.
30+
Poker Rooms Reviewed5
Key Criteria300+
Research Hours10+
In-House WritersFinal Thoughts on New York Online Poker
Offshore poker rooms allow residents in New York to play their favorite games and overcome the state’s strict gambling laws. Rakeback, knockout tournaments, freerolls, and other bonuses sweeten the deal.
CoinPoker is our number one pick for online poker for real money in New York. With up to 33% rakeback, limits to suit beginners & high rollers, and an efficient mobile app, there is much to enjoy.
Sign up To Claim 150% Deposit Bonus Up To $2,000
- The main CSOP tournament series guarantees $1,000,000 in prize money
- Low and high-stakes tables are always available, 33% Rakeback
- No KYC process, decentralized blockchain poker
FAQ
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Responsible Gambling
Responsible online gambling is key whether you bet at CoinPoker or another of our offshore online poker rooms. Most importantly, you should always wager within your means by fixing your bankroll that doesn’t exceed an amount you can comfortably afford to lose. Our offshore online poker operators also enable you to set customizable deposit limits based on your bankroll size and betting activity.
