New York State lawmakers are reigniting the debate over online casinos. As of January 2026, online casino gambling is illegal in the state. With new bills being pushed, the online legalization of casinos could happen.
New Bills Spark Online Casino Debate
New York has several licensed facilities where gambling is legal. These include del Lago Resort & Casino, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor, and Tioga Downs Casino, Racing & Entertainment.
The only way to place bets at these facilities is to be physically present. A select group of New York lawmakers is attempting to change that.
Earlier this month, Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. filed a bill with the New York Senate to authorize interactive gaming and interactive lottery in the state.
Addabbo’s bill points out that New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania all have online interactive casino gaming. The revenue generated by online casino gaming would be massive. In 2023, New Jersey and Pennsylvania combined for over $3.5 billion in revenue. This created nearly $1 billion in tax revenue for the two states.
If New York legalized online casino gaming, it could become the “leading mobile sports betting market in the nation.”
New York would receive hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
In addition to Addabbo’s proposal, Assembly member Carrie Woerner also filed a bill that supported legalized online casino gambling.
Inside the Proposals
How would online casino gambling work?
In the proposals, online casino licenses would be offered to active gambling operators in the state. This includes commercial casinos, tribal casinos, video lottery terminal facilities, and mobile sports betting operators.
The tax on gross gaming revenue would be 30.5%. That is significantly less than New York’s 51% tax on mobile sports betting.
The license fees would be $2 million for operators and $10 million for independent platform providers.
If approved, what games would be available?
The list of authorized games would include table games, live dealer games, online slots, poker tournaments, and an expanded online lottery product.
The tax revenue would be allocated to responsible gambling programs, health initiatives, worker training, and economic development. $25 million would be guaranteed by the statute.
Newly Licensed Casinos Coming to New York
BREAKING:
Steve Cohen and Hard Rock have officially been awarded a NY Casino license, per @MazzNYC
The $8 billion Metropolitan Park project next to Citi Field is projected to open in June of 2030. pic.twitter.com/UtBmnlWn35
— SleeperMets (@SleeperMets) December 1, 2025
New York is adding more casinos.
Last month, the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board voted to approve three casino bids in New York City.
The three casinos are Resorts at Aqueduct Racetrack, a Bally’s casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx, and a Hard Rock Casino at Metropolitan Park near Citi Field.
The only thing that will generate the most headlines is the casino going to Mets owner Steve Cohen at Citi Field. Metropolitan Park, which will include a new casino, should be open by June 2030.