Sweepstakes casinos have long offered New Yorkers a way to play online slots and table games for a chance to win cash prizes without violating gambling laws. However, that’s starting to change. In 2025, New York lawmakers began cracking down on sweepstakes casinos, prompting many of the biggest platforms to leave the state or block new sign-ups.
While some sites may still be accessible for now, the future of sweepstakes casinos in New York is uncertain as legislation continues to move forward.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New York?
Sweepstakes casinos have long served as a legal workaround for New Yorkers looking to play online slots and table games for the chance to win real cash prizes. But that is rapidly changing in 2025.
As of April 2025, New York is actively advancing legislation to ban online sweepstakes casinos. Senate Bill S5935, introduced by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., directly targets sweepstakes platforms that use dual-currency systems to facilitate prize redemptions. The bill has already passed through the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee and is awaiting further movement through the legislative process.
In response, several major platforms have already exited the New York market, including High 5 Casino, McLuck Casino, and NoLimit Coins. While some remaining sites may still be accessible, many have blocked new player signups or are allowing only existing users to redeem balances before final cut-off dates.
Currently, real-money online casinos remain illegal in New York, despite continued efforts to legalize them. Senator Addabbo also introduced Senate Bill S2614 in early 2025 to authorize iGaming in the state, but that measure has not yet passed.
What This Means for Players in New York
If you’re a New York resident, your access to sweepstakes casinos is now limited and subject to change without notice. Some platforms still allow play, but the legality is on shaky ground as legislation tightens. We strongly recommend:
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Checking a site’s terms before signing up or purchasing anything
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Staying informed about local gaming laws and pending legislation
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Considering alternative forms of legal online entertainment, such as daily fantasy sports or regulated sportsbooks
For now, players should proceed with caution, and those with active balances on sweepstakes sites should monitor emails and site notices for updates on redemption deadlines.
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How Do Sweepstakes Casinos Work?
Sweepstakes casinos do not offer real-money gambling. Instead, players use site-specific currency that they can use to play the games. This currency usually comes in the form of two coins:
- Gold Coins: Purely for fun and cannot be redeemed for a cash prize.
- Sweeps Coins: Can be redeemed for a cash prize.
Players receive both coins for free when they sign up at a sweepstakes casino, as required by sweepstakes law. This gives them a chance to play the games and redeem for a cash prize or gift card. Players can also purchase Gold Coins and receive Sweeps Coins for free as a bonus, which means you can’t outright purchase Sweeps Coins. Again, that’s set up to comply with sweepstakes laws.
Note: Some sweepstakes and social casinos may call Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins something else. For example, WOW Vegas uses WOW Coins for GC, and Stake.us uses Stake Cash for SC. Here’s a full breakdown of how sweeps currency works.
New York Online Gambling Laws
New York has taken significant steps in expanding legal gambling options in recent years. Online sports betting launched in January 2022 and has since become one of the largest regulated markets in the United States, generating billions in annual handle and tax revenue.
Despite this success, real-money online casinos remain illegal in New York as of mid-2025. State lawmakers have continued to push for broader legalization, including Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s introduction of Senate Bill S2614, which would legalize online casino games and online lottery offerings. However, the bill has not yet passed and remains under legislative review.
All gambling activity in New York is regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission, which oversees sports betting, retail casinos, horse racing, and lottery games. As of now, this body does not license or regulate any sweepstakes or social casinos, nor does it oversee any form of iGaming outside of sports wagering.
While online casino regulation remains a possibility for the future, current New York law continues to prohibit any real-money online casino platforms from operating legally within the state.
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Where Are Real Money Online Casinos Available?
While New York has yet to legalize real-money online casinos, several neighboring and nearby states offer legal online casino gaming:
- New Jersey: A pioneer in online casino gaming, New Jersey provides a wide array of licensed platforms featuring slots, table games, and live dealer options.
- Pennsylvania: With a robust online casino market, Pennsylvania allows both residents and visitors to engage in real-money gaming through state-regulated apps and websites.
- Connecticut: Legal online casinos have been operational since 2021, offering a selection of operators and comprehensive real-money gaming experiences.
- Delaware: As one of the early adopters, Delaware legalized online gambling in 2012. The state offers online slots, table games, and poker through platforms regulated by the Delaware Lottery.
- Michigan: Since 2021, Michigan has authorized online casinos, providing a variety of platforms with numerous gaming options, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
- West Virginia: Legalized in 2019, West Virginia offers several online casinos featuring real-money slots, table games, and live dealer options.
To participate in online casino gaming, you must be physically located within the borders of these states. Geolocation technology is employed to verify your location before allowing gameplay. For New York residents, traveling to these neighboring states provides legal access to real-money online casino gaming.
Where Are Sweepstakes Casinos Available?
Sweepstakes casinos are legal and accessible in the majority of US states, offering players the opportunity to enjoy casino-style games and potentially redeem virtual winnings for real prizes. These platforms operate under sweepstakes laws, allowing them to function in areas where traditional real-money online casinos may be restricted.
So, if you’re traveling from New York, you can play sweepstakes casinos in any state except for:
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New York
- Washington
While some sweepstakes casinos are unavailable in additional states, you can usually find a handful of high-quality options in states outside of the ones above. Here’s our full guide on where sweepstakes casinos are legal.
Top 5 Best Sweepstakes Casinos
- 100% First Purchase Bonus
- 20+ Live Dealer Games at Launch
- Games from 30+ Leading Providers
- Super Charged VIP Program
- 200% First Purchase Value Bonus
- Daily Spin on the Infinity Wheel
- Selection of Fish Shooting Games
- Extensive Range of Coin Packages
- Most Live Dealer Rooms
- Huge Progressive Jackpots
- Exciting Rewards Program
- 5-Star App for iOS & Android
- Top-Rated iOS App (4.8/5.0 Stars)
- Slots with Huge Progressive Jackpots
- Excellent Promos for Existing Users
- Accepts Apple Pay, Skrill, and Trustly
- 100% First Purchase Bonus
- Games from 40+ Top Providers
- Low Redemption Limits
- Progressive Jackpots
- Biggest No Deposit Bonus
- Best Promotions for Existing Members
- Fish Shooting Games & Plinko
- Instant Cashout with Crypto
- Over 1,000 Games to Chose From
- Trustly and Srkill Accepted
- Unlimited 30 SC Referral Bonus
- 6 Tier VIP Program
- Over 1,000 Games from 21 Top Providers
- Referral Bonus Worth Up To 70 Free SC
- Apple Pay & Google Pay Supported
- New Games Released Weekly
- Generous First and Second Purchase Bonuses
- Exclusive Jackpot That Can Hit on Any Game & Spin
- Free Daily SC Rewards and Offers
- Huge Game Library From Over 20 Top Providers
- The Home of Free Spins - Get Free Spins Daily
- Over 1,000 Electric Games to Play
- Unique Community Jackpot Feature
- Generous Referral Bonus
- 2.7 SC and 9,000 GC no deposit bonus
- 150% First Purchase Bonus
- Tons of Slots & Live Dealer Games
- Accepts Apple Pay
- Every Purchase Adds Extra Coins
- Over 1,000 Slots
- Daily Challenges for Free SC & GC
- Stellar Rewards Program
- Accepts Crypto, Trustly and Major Credit Cards
- Available in 45 States
- Generous No Deposit Offer and Daily Login Bonus
- 240+ Exciting Slots Titles
What Makes a Sweepstakes Casino the Best?
Our reviews are built on a multi-step process that aims to dig into the finer details of a sweeps casino. We offer impartial ratings based on the real-world experience of a team of industry experts. Below are the main factors we cover in each review:
Fairness and Legitimacy
We cover whether the site operator is reputable, what security measures are in place, and if the games deliver fair outcomes. Safety for our readers is our main priority, making this the most crucial step of our reviews. As your safety is our top concern, we look closely at the operators’ data protection, privacy, and responsible gaming policies. We also check that the casino uses the latest encryption technologies to ensure your information is always protected. In addition, we look at the casino’s RNG (Random Number Generator) engine to ensure it is tested and certified and game outcomes are always fair.
Game Selection
A well-rounded gaming experience relies on flexibility. Top sweepstakes casinos should offer slots, RNG table games, fish table games, and live dealer options. In our reviews, we will explain the number of games in each category and which software providers are available.
Win Potential
Win potential is influenced by high RTP slots and other games, game stake limits, and the availability of progressive jackpots. When testing a sweeps casino, we check if it offers high RTP (Return to Player) slots and other games and explain available jackpots. We also provide transparency on the casino’s overall RTP when applicable.
Cash Prize Redemption
Sweepstakes casinos require users to have a minimum SC amount before it can be redeemed for cash and gift vouchers. We redeem coins ourselves during reviews and can report accurately on limits, requirements, and available redemption payment methods.
Free Sweeps Coins
Players can get free SC through welcome bonuses, daily login rewards, social media giveaways, and loyalty programs. Our team accesses these bonuses to highlight how lucrative they are to players and whether they are worth playing for.
Casino Games
The social casinos we recommend offer a diverse range of games. You can pick from classics like roulette and blackjack, modern favorites like slots, trendy new options, and immersive live dealer experiences:
Slots
Online slots involve spinning a reel and matching symbols to win. There are many different types of slots and thousands of themes, including ancient civilizations, adventure, wildlife, Irish luck, and many more. Popular slot types include progressive jackpots, Megaways, classic slots, and branded games.
Blackjack
When playing the game of blackjack, you play against the dealer to get the closest to 21 without going over that number. You can hit or stand on your two cards or take options such as split pairs or double down. Sweepstakes casinos have popular blackjack variants in RNG and live formats.
Roulette
Roulette is a game in which you predict the outcome of a ball landing on a spinning wheel by choosing specific numbers, colors, or sections of the wheel. Popular variants are European and American roulette, which are available as live dealers and RNG games on sweeps casinos.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games allow players to experience blackjack, roulette, and other games through a live stream with a real dealer. With a real studio and TV production quality, the gameplay is more immersive and virtual versions of the same games.
Fish Shooting Games
Aim and use your skill to shoot as many fish as you can. Although, you’ll need some luck to determine how much you will win from your shots. Fish shooting games are interesting new games that combine luck and skill for a unique gameplay experience.
Types of Promotions at New York Online Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos promo codes are an important aspect of how we rate sites. We only choose sites that allow players to access games for free regularly. Free coins are at the backbone of any sweeps casinos, while bonuses should also be available when players decide to purchase Gold Coins. Let’s look at the most common bonuses at sweepstakes casinos:
- Welcome Bonus: Receive free GC and SC when you sign up to a sweeps casino. This is usually a no-purchase promo.
- No-Purchase Bonus: Also known as a sweepstakes casino no deposit bonus, this is when a casino gives you free
- Referral Bonus: Claim free coins when a friend uses your referral code to register and purchase from the sweepstakes casino.
- Daily Rewards: Collect daily Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Some casinos offer increasing rewards for logging in over consecutive days.
- Leaderboard Competitions: Tournaments are frequent, allowing users to play for huge GC and SC prize pools.
- Special Event Promotions: Check the social media of your sweeps casino as there will also be seasonal promos, special offers, and unique giveaways.
- Purchase Bonuses: Get a boost or discount when you make a purchase of coins. Most casinos have a first person bonus.
Responsible Gaming Resources in New York
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, support is available through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG). These organizations offer confidential help, self-assessment tools, and access to self-exclusion programs to promote responsible gaming.
New York also encourages responsible gambling through the KnowTheOdds campaign (KnowTheOdds.org), which provides educational resources and support for those affected by gambling addiction.
For additional help, national services such as 1-800-GAMBLER and Gamblers Anonymous offer 24/7 confidential assistance, including counseling and recovery programs.
Should You Play Online Casino Games in New York?
Right now, it’s not recommended.
Online casino gambling remains illegal in New York, and in 2025, many of the most reputable sweepstakes casinos have withdrawn from the state due to increasing legislative pressure. That includes platforms like McLuck and High 5 Casino, which have blocked new registrations or fully ceased operations for New Yorkers.
While some offshore or unregulated sites may still be accessible, they fall outside U.S. law and offer no player protections, leaving your funds and personal information at risk.
If you’re eager to play legally, your best bet is to visit a nearby state like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut, where real-money online casinos are fully legal and regulated. Otherwise, it may be worth waiting to see if New York’s legislature eventually opens the door to legal online casino gaming.
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