Best Online Poker Sites in New York for 2026

• 

  4.5

  #1

  4.5

  CoinPoker

  Independent

  

  Bonus

  150% up to $2,000

  

  Rakeback

  15%+

  CodeWPD

  ReviewSign up

  

  United States is accepted

  • Crypto accepted

  GambleAware.org

  Details
• 

  4.7

  #2

  4.7

  BetOnline

  Chico Poker Network

  

  Bonus

  100% up to $1,000

  

  Rakeback

  10%+

  ReviewSign up

  

  United States is accepted

  • Crypto accepted

  GambleAware.org

  Details
• 

  4.7

  #3

  4.7

  ACR Poker

  Winning Poker Network

  

  Bonus

  100% up to $2,000

  

  Rakeback

  up to 65%

  CodeWPDVIP

  ReviewSign up

  

  United States is accepted

  • Crypto accepted

  GambleAware.org

  Details
• 

  4.4

  #4

  4.4

  Phenom Poker

  Independent

  

  Bonus

  150% up to $3,000

  

  Rakeback

  up to 40%

  CodeWPD

  ReviewSign up

  

  United States is accepted

  • Crypto accepted

  GambleAware.org

  Details

New York online poker at glance

If you’re based in New York, it’s important to understand one key point before choosing an online poker room: real-money online poker is currently unregulated in the state. As a result, no licensed poker apps are operating locally, and offshore sites should not be mistaken for platforms within a regulated system.

Is online poker legal in New York?

As noted above, as of mid-2026, there are no licensed real-money online poker rooms in New York. Mobile sports betting has already been legalized in the state. The land-based casinos and live poker rooms operate, but a fully regulated online poker market has yet to be launched.

New York state law does not specifically identify online poker, but the state's definitions of gambling are quite broad. According to Penal Law 225.00, a "contest of chance" may include games in which chance plays a significant role, even if skill is also involved. As online poker has not yet been expressly permitted under the state's licensing model, there are currently no legal poker sites in New York, such as PokerStars NY, WSOP NY, or BetMGM Poker NY.

Some offshore poker sites still accept players from New York. However, it’s important to understand that these platforms are not licensed or regulated by state authorities and should not be compared to legally regulated U.S. poker apps.

When assessing offshore options for New York residents, we focus on factors such as brand history, ownership background, reputation among both professionals and recreational players, reliability and security, traffic levels, bonus conditions, and any unresolved payout complaints.

Sweepstakes poker is no longer available in New York

Sweepstakes poker was once considered one of the few alternatives for new yorkers looking to play poker online. Sites like Global Poker used a virtual currency model instead of direct real-money play: Gold Coins were used for social play, while Sweeps Coins could be redeemed for cash prizes.

However, in reality, this format is no longer considered a viable option for New York. In June 2025, the New York State Attorney General's Office, together with the New York State Gaming Commission, announced action against 26 online sweepstakes casino platforms offering casino-style games and sports betting using virtual coins that could be redeemed for cash or prizes. The state's position was that these platforms effectively offered illegal gambling, as players were risking something of value through redeemable virtual coins.

This was followed by a formal legislative ban. New York Senate Bill S5935/S5935A, signed by the Governor, bans online sweepstakes games.

For poker players, the practical implication is quite straightforward: sweepstakes poker is no longer a reliable option in New York. In 2025, Global Poker discontinued its Sweeps Coin play format for New York users, and other brands operating via the same model, including ClubsPoker and Stake.us, have also started to withdraw from the state market.

Will New York legalize online poker?

Well, legalizing online poker in New York is still possible, but it's unclear when. The main current legislation is Senate Bill S2614, promoted by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. This bill proposes creating an interactive gaming and interactive lottery gaming system in New York, including online poker tournaments and other legal online casino games.

It's important to understand that S2614 has not yet been passed as of 2026. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and then sent back to the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee on January 7, 2026. This essentially means that the legalization of online poker in New York remains an active legislative initiative, rather than the approved launch of a regulated market.

If the bill is passed, New York gains a fully regulated iGaming model under the oversight of the New York State Gaming Commission. Key provisions of the bill include:

• 30.5% tax on interactive gaming revenue,
• one-time licensing fees,
• responsible gambling requirements,
• mandatory player age and location verification,
• restrictions on bank card deposits.

For now, players in New York shouldn’t expect apps like PokerStars NY, WSOP NY, Bet MGM Poker NY, or other poker apps to appear. Before that can happen, the law must be enacted, regulations put in place, and only then can the state start issuing licenses to operators. The WPD team continues to closely monitor the developments.

Best online poker options for New York players in 2026

Since New York currently has no licensed online poker, players should clearly distinguish between the available options. These include US-friendly offshore poker sites, free-to-play poker apps, and platforms operating in neighboring states.

It’s important not to confuse these categories when deciding where to play. Each comes with its own legal status, level of player protection, and practical limitations.

Below, we’ve included a table outlining the key differences. If online poker is eventually legalized in New York, this section will be updated to reflect operators approved by the New York State Gaming Commission.

Free-play poker apps remain an accessible option for players in New York who want to enjoy the game without wagering real money. However, they serve more as a recreational or training tool rather than a full-fledged substitute for online poker.

For real-money play, offshore sites are still the primary option available to NY poker players. It’s important to understand that these platforms are not licensed by state authorities and should therefore be assessed differently from regulated U.S. poker apps.

For that reason, when reviewing offshore online poker rooms, we focus on alternative criteria, such as track record, payment reliability, actual traffic levels, security standards, fairness of bonus terms, and whether there are unresolved withdrawal complaints.

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:

1. Bonus 150% up to $ 2,000 on the first deposit (50% rakeback).
2. Fixed rakeback 33% every Monday based on the results of the previous week.
3. 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 evaluate available sites not as regulated NY poker sites, but as offshore alternatives. Therefore, our ranking focuses not only on the general characteristics of the room, but specifically on:

• Accessibility for New York players. We first check whether a site accepts players from NY. But also any rule-based restrictions, access to cashier functions, and the overall usability of the site for players in New York.
• Operator background. We prefer rooms with at least five years of successful experience in the US market. For offshore sites, this is one of the key evaluation criteria.
• License and security. An offshore license is not the same as a New York State license, but it still matters. We only consider operators with a valid license, SSL encryption, clear KYC rules, responsible gambling tools, and transparent account and payment policies.
• Cashier and withdrawals. We pay special attention to sites with a strong track record for reliable payouts. Support for cryptocurrency can be an advantage, but it doesn’t substitute for trust, transparency, and overall reliability.
• Games variety and traffic. We evaluate the poker traffic and the selection of games and limits, not just the presence of a "Poker" tab in the lobby. The top tier sites for New York poker players should offer Texas Hold'em, Omaha, cash games, MTTs, and active tables during the evening hours (New York time).
• Bonus integrity. A large bonus doesn't necessarily make a poker room good. We check the wagering requirements, expiration dates, the list of eligible games, any withdrawal restrictions, and whether the offer is even realistic for the average player.

This approach makes it possible to distinguish genuinely reliable offshore poker sites from vague claims of being "available in New York," which aren't always confirmed in practice.

Can New York players use poker apps in New Jersey or Pennsylvania?

Unfortunately, New York poker players can’t play on New Jersey or Pennsylvania sites while physically located in New York. Regulated poker apps in these states use geolocation, so to play for real money, a player must be physically located within the relevant state at the time of the session.

Whether PokerStars NJ, WSOP NJ, BetMGM Poker NJ, PokerStars PA, or WSOP PA can be considered as possible alternatives is debatable. The key difference is that New Jersey and Pennsylvania already have regulated online poker markets, while New York does not.

Which poker sites could launch in New York?

Let's consider what would happen if New York legalized real-money online poker in the future. The first licensed operators would likely be brands with existing experience in regulated US markets. Likely candidates include PokerStars US, WSOP Online, BetMGM Poker, and BetRivers Poker.

These apps should currently be viewed only as potential future solutions, not as actual gambling apps.

For players, this distinction has practical implications. Searching for queries like "PokerStars New York" or "WSOP Online NY" might lead to free-play social apps, news articles, or offshore alternatives, but not to an existing regulated New York poker site. Until New York enacts online poker legislation and starts issuing licenses, these brands will not be available for real-money play in the state.

Deposit and withdrawal methods at poker sites for NY players

Offshore sites may accept players from New York, but the range of deposit and withdrawal options depends on the poker room, the account’s country, verification status, and the availability of specific payment providers. As a result, cashier options can differ significantly from those offered by regulated U.S. poker platforms.

For many new yorkers, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, or Dogecoin remains the most practical way to move funds. These methods are often faster and more convenient than traditional banking or e-wallets. That said, it’s still important to review withdrawal limits, blockchain fees, processing times, and KYC requirements before making an initial deposit.

Some poker sites may also list bank cards, wire transfers, vouchers, or e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, or PayPal in their cashier sections. In practice, however, these options are not always available to players in New York. It’s a good idea to start with a small deposit and test the withdrawal process before committing a larger bankroll. Even if a site accepts New York state, it doesn’t guarantee that all payment methods will function smoothly or reliably within the state.

Live poker alternatives in New York

Unlike real-money online poker, live poker is available in regulated casinos in the state. If a legal and user-friendly format is more important to a player, live card rooms remain the safest local option.

The downside is convenience: live poker requires travel, is tied to a schedule, and is time-consuming. In contrast, online poker often seems simpler because you can play from home whenever you want.

Bottom line: Should New York players use offshore poker sites?

To sum up, New York is still awaiting the launch of licensed real-money online poker. At present, there are no locally regulated poker apps, so brands like PokerStars NY, WSOP NY, or BetMGM Poker NY should be viewed as potential future products rather than currently accessible options.

For now, offshore sites remain the primary choice for real-money play. While these platforms are not licensed in New York, the ones we recommend are established international brands with a solid track record, active player pools, reliable payment systems, strong security measures, and a positive reputation among online players.

It’s important to understand the distinction between a reliable international poker site and a regulated U.S. app. Offshore platforms are not overseen by regulators in New York, so when compiling our rankings, we place particular emphasis on reputation, track record, and overall reliability.

If your priority is a fully legal format, consider live poker within New York or regulated online poker in neighboring states if you're physically located, for example, in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Until New York legalizes online poker and begins issuing licenses, it’s essential to clearly differentiate between three categories: offshore sites, free-play alternatives, and potential future licensed sites in New York, which do not yet exist.

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 warn 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 taking a pause and seeking advice.

FAQ