New York's land-based casino scene
Unlike online play, brick-and-mortar gambling is fully legal and regulated by the NYSGC. New York hosts commercial casinos, tribal resorts and racinos statewide. In December 2025 the state awarded three downstate licences — Bally's Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Resorts World NYC — beginning construction in 2026, a retail expansion widely read as the groundwork for eventual online legalisation. Until that arrives, the New York online casinos remain the only online option.
Major New York casinos
The notable venues across the state, by region:
| Casino | Region | What you can play |
|---|---|---|
| Resorts World New York City | Queens | Slots, electronic & live tables |
| Empire City Casino by MGM | Yonkers | Slots, video poker, electronic tables |
| Rivers Casino & Resort | Schenectady | Tables, poker, retail sportsbook |
| Resorts World Catskills | Monticello | Tables, poker, high-limit gaming |
| Turning Stone Resort Casino | Verona | Tables, poker, bingo, sportsbook |
| Del Lago Resort & Casino | Waterloo | Slots, tables, sportsbook |
| Tioga Downs Casino Resort | Nichols | Slots, tables, poker, racing |
| Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | Niagara Falls | Full gaming floor, hotel |
| Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs | Slots, video poker, harness racing |
Types of New York casino venue
Commercial casinos
Full-scale resorts licensed by the NYSGC — Rivers Schenectady, Resorts World Catskills, Del Lago and Tioga Downs — offering slots, live tables, poker and retail sportsbooks.
Tribal casinos
Run by Native American nations under federal IGRA compacts — the Seneca and Turning Stone properties among them — operating independently of commercial licensing.
Racinos & VLT venues
Racetracks with video lottery terminals, such as Empire City (Yonkers), Saratoga and Jake's 58, blending electronic gaming with horse racing.
The 2025 downstate expansion
In December 2025 the state awarded three coveted downstate casino licences — to Bally's Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park (Queens) and Resorts World New York City — with construction beginning in 2026. The expansion is expected to generate major local revenue and is widely seen as the retail step that precedes any move to legalise online casinos. Until that arrives, the offshore New York online casinos remain the only online option.