New York is one of the best states in the US for gaming and betting, both live and online. However, online poker has faced challenging hurdles in the Empire State, particularly regarding legislation. Some politicians, like Senator Joseph Addabbo and his constituents, have been persistent in making online poker available in New York with the Senate Bill S9226 proposal, which would help expand poker and gaming efforts in the state. The senator was inspired by the success of online poker iGaming in neighboring states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Though 2024 didn’t yield the anticipated result as the bill wasn’t passed, there’s still hope for future efforts as other states continue to showcase positive outcomes. As such, 2025 may offer a new outlook on New York’s poker industry as the scene progresses.
The current landscape
Though New York boasts a thriving live poker scene and is one of the top states in terms of gross casino gaming revenue, the online scene tells a different story. Empire State players don’t have many options from the state when it comes to poker platforms: no state-licensed sites exist in the state as of 2025. While there have been attempts at legislation here, there hasn’t been much progress in passing a bill. Though online options are limited, residents can still play online poker in New York through reputable global platforms. Americas Cardroom has become a well-established and popular choice for online players in the state. It demonstrates how modern platforms can provide a reliable experience with secure features, prompt transactions, and flexible gaming options. Games with wide stakes and formats run all day for constant action in New York and beyond. Online poker may not yet be state-licensed in the Big Apple, but there’s a burgeoning market and a high demand bringing people to international sites.
Potential for growth in 2025
New York is a prime area for gaming and betting, which can lay the foundation for a promising online poker industry in 2025. Casino operators are vying for one of the three licenses to be given by the end of the year, showcasing how many companies recognize the state as a promising market for gaming. Since most establishments are upstate, the downstate area can be advantageous for catering to more New Yorkers, including avid poker players. The digital landscape is also experiencing much growth in betting and iGaming, potentially leading to growth opportunities for online poker. In 2024, New York took $22.6 billion in sports bets, 18.4% more than the previous year. New York bettors also spent $2.3 billion wagering on sports online, highlighting how technology has boosted the market in recent years.
Another promising opportunity for playing poker online is the technological advancements that continue to improve offerings and increase access. Aside from desktop clients, mobile gaming has been gaining traction for its convenience and accessibility, especially as people are more likely to own a smartphone than a computer. Our “10 Key Factors to Consider When Building a Mobile App” post emphasizes the multiple considerations developers need for mobile gaming, including a user-friendly interface, app security, and optimized performance and speed. Poker platforms and apps have leveraged technology to ensure that players enjoy easy navigation, customizability, robust security and fairness, and fast payouts, regardless of where they play. Previously mentioned Americas Cardroom also recently launched an app, and European Gaming reported that mobile-exclusive, limited-time tournaments for mobile players were held on the platform. The online gaming landscape offers many opportunities for online poker in New York to flourish.
What’s next?
Despite the grim outcome for bringing online poker to New York, it is continuing to be considered in 2025. Last year’s chances for advancement were slim due to the last-minute submission to the legislative session, but there is now more time to look over it and more potential to see the bill pass. Though previous efforts have not often been fruitful, the changing gaming landscape in New York and neighboring states may help push online poker forward.
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