New York Sweepstakes Casinos

The format was outlawed at the end of 2025 via the S 5935 bill, and while there have been vague mentions that sweeps may be eligible for regulation in the future, that remains a distant hope for now.

Fortunately, pure social casinos based around free play and skill-based platforms like MaxDuel are still legal and available for players looking for online casino-style fun.

Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New York?

No, they are not. That’s as of December 5, 2025.

New York, like many other states, has land-based casinos and sports betting, but no online casino gaming. Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has been campaigning for legal iGaming in NY state for years, but his bills have fizzled out each time. However, his S 5935 proposal was much more successful.

This bill, filed in March 2025, called for the abolishment of Sweeps Coins play and real cash redemptions, recommending fines of up to $100,000, plus revocation of or ineligibility for a gaming license for offending operators.

S 5935 soon made progress through the state legislature, and around the same time, it came to light that NY Attorney General Letitia James had been issuing cease and desists to sweepstakes operators as well. Over 25 brands received letters, including many of the most popular sweeps sites like High 5 and McLuck. All brands eventually complied, exiting the Empire State.

Then, by the midpoint of June, S 5935 had passed both the Senate and Assembly, and all that remained was for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it into law. It ended up taking months for the bill to reach her desk, but in the meantime, many more sweeps casinos decided the writing was on the wall and the NY sweeps exodus picked up pace.

Eventually, at the start of December, Sen. Addabbo’s bill reached Governor Hochul, and within a few days it was signed, banning the sweepstakes dual currency format from NY, effective immediately.

Because of the size of the NY market, a handful of brands like Chumba decided to continue to offer Gold Coin (free) play in the Empire State, but Sweeps Coin play and real cash redemptions are now definitively outlawed.

Other Gambling Options for New York Players

While NY social casinos make for an excellent way to play casino-style games for fun, they aren’t the only way that you can do so. Lotteries, land-based commercial casinos (via tribal compacts), retail and online sports betting options are also legal in the Empire State.

Some of the top land-based casinos available include Rivers Casino & Resort, the Del Lago Resort, and the three Seneca casino establishments (Allegany, Niagara, and Buffalo Creek). The most reputable online sportsbooks in the US are also now in operation in the state.

Some state lawmakers are hard at work finding ways to legalize traditional online casinos, but this option is out of the picture for now. Just like NY sweepstakes casinos, unfortunately.