The 5 Best New York Online Casinos You Need to Try

New York online casinos for real money are still on the legislative horizon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the thrill of iGaming at least in some form. Luckily, social and sweepstakes casinos in New York are fully legal, and they offer a creative workaround for gaming enthusiasts. These platforms are online casino alternatives NY players can use to participate in casino classics like slots and table games with no real money required, so it’s not technically gambling. Instead, you can play with virtual currencies like Sweeps Coins, which you may actually be able to redeem for real cash prizes.

This guide spotlights five of the best New York online casinos that you can play in without real money. BetRivers Casino, High 5 Casino, BetMGM, Hello Millions, and Caesars Palace Online Casino all stand out with unique features, engaging games, and truly enticing rewards. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran looking for your next favorite platform, this list is here to help you discover legal, fun-filled gaming options if you stay in the Big Apple.

BetRivers Casino and Sportsbook: Best for overall selection

If you’re after NY legal casino sites with variety, BetRivers Casino may be your best bet (pun intended). The sheer number of slots, table games, and live dealer options on this platform is impressive. Players get exclusive titles and Flash Prize games, so there’s always an opportunity to try something new.

What truly sets BetRivers Casino apart, however, is its iRush Rewards program. This loyalty system is one of the most comprehensive out among New York online casinos. You can get bonuses, gifts, exclusive events, and other rewards. And, with exciting promos like the High 5 Rapid Rewards Flash Prize, players may even get a chance to win a share of $100,000 in boosted spins. So, you can see why BetRivers Casino cements itself as a must-try for New York players looking for a legal, free-to-play casino experience.

Source: BetRivers

Bonus offers

• Welcome bonus: Get 100% of your losses back as 1x bonus money (up to $500) during your first 24 hours.
• Daily draws: Win prizes as one of 200 lucky players every day.

Key features

• Game selection: Over 250 games including popular slots like Starburst and Divine Fortune, table games, live dealer games, Slingo, and video poker.
• The BetRivers Casino iRush Rewards program: The program rewards players for their loyalty with bonuses, gifts, and exclusive events. 
• Platforms: You can use the BetRivers website on your PC or phone. There’s a mobile app that works pretty well too.
• Customer support: Players can contact Bet Rivers via live chat, email, or a 24/7 hotline.

High 5 Casino: Best for sweepstakes enthusiasts

High 5 Casino really knows how to make a great first impression. When you sign up, you get a welcome bonus of 250 Gold Coins (GC), 5 Sweeps Coins (SC), and 600 Diamonds without even using a promo code. These virtual currencies are the keys to the gaming city. The Gold Coins let you play across the library for free. The Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, offer the chance to win actual prizes. While other social and sweepstakes casinos in New York may have their own variations of the “golds” and “sweeps”, the Diamonds are actually exclusive to High 5 Casino. This special currency activates a “Boost on Demand” feature that can maximize your winnings for added excitement.

Source: High 5 Casino

Bonus offers

• Welcome bonus: Get 250 Gold Coins, 5 Sweeps Coins, and 600 Diamonds just for signing up.
• Boost on Demand: Use Diamonds to supercharge your winnings on any game.

Key features

• Game selection: The High 5 Casino library has nearly 2,000 titles, including popular slots like Hoot Loot, Triple Double Da Vinci Diamonds, and Golden Knight, live dealer games, jackpots, and variety games like Slingo and Plinko.
• Sweepstakes mode: Use Sweeps Coins to play for real cash prizes or gift cards.
• Platforms: It’s available on desktop, iOS, and Android. The purply-bluish and sometimes peach themes are very easy on the eyes and do give that casino feel. 
• Customer support: High 5 Casino’s customer service is available 24/7 via live chat and email.

BetMGM: Best for slot variety

Some players love their slot machines. If you’re one of that number, then BetMGM Casino may feel like a dream come true. There are more than 1,400 slots that players can choose from, including exclusive titles like MGM Grand Millions, Big Money Frenzy, and Prometheus Titan of Fire. BetMGM doesn’t just stop at slots, though. You can also play over 30 table games, like roulette, baccarat, and poker, along with nearly 20 blackjack options.

Source: BetMGM

Bonus offers

• Welcome bonus: BetMGM does offer a welcome bonus, but sadly, it’s not available in New York for now.
• Ongoing promos: Players get to enjoy daily jackpots, slot bonuses, and leaderboard competitions. The BetMGM Rewards program also lets you earn points for every game you play. You can redeem these points later for prizes.

Key features

• Game selection: Play popular slot games like MGM Grand Millions, Starburst, 88 Fortunes, or anyone out of 1,400+ slots. You can also play table games and live dealer options.
• Rewards program: Players earn points for every game played which they can redeem for real prizes. 
• Platforms: BetMGM has a functional all-black look on its website and mobile app. The app is available on iOS and Android.
• Customer support: Players can reach out to customer care 24/7 via live chat or email.

Hello Millions: Best for fun design and animations

Hello Millions made its debut in November 2023 with a catchy 90s arcade-styled design that looks straight out of a comic book, which brought a unique twist to the social casino experience. Apart from the promise of an exciting 500+ game lineup, new players get a hearty welcome with 15,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins after registering and verifying their accounts. These bonuses are enough to start playing in both standard and sweepstakes modes instantly. This refreshing combination of creative design flair and practical gaming perks makes Hello Millions a good, new option for legal gaming NY players.

Source: Hello Millions

Bonus offers

• Welcome bonus: There’s a guaranteed 15,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins after registering and verifying your Hello Millions account.
• First purchase bonus: You can get up to 50,000 Gold Coins and 25 Sweepstakes Coins for only $9.99.
• Daily login benefits: Players get 1,500 Gold Coins and 0.20 Sweepstakes Coins when they log in daily.
• Competitions: Playing tournaments, jackpot races, and social media contests lets you win extra Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins.

Key features

• Game selection: Players gain access to 500+ titles, including slots like Gates of Olympus and Sugar Rush 1,000, live dealer games, Slingo, and jackpots. You can also play exclusive GC games, like The Magic Cauldron Enchanted Brew and Pyramid King. These games are from top developers such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play.
• Virtual currency system: Hello Millions also has the usual virtual currencies. The Gold Coins work for standard mode gameplay, so you don’t get any monetary rewards, but the Sweepstakes Coins give you a chance to redeem prizes like gift cards (starting at 10 SC) or cash (starting at 50 SC).
• Platforms: It’s available on desktop, iOS, and Android. The website and app have a fun comic-book theme that makes you feel like you’re in a real arcade.
• Customer support: 24/7 email and social media support is available. However, only players who have made a Gold Coin purchase have access to live chatting.

Caesars Palace Online Casino: Best rewards program

You might know Caesars Palace, but their social casino site is relatively new. Now, you can get an iconic gaming experience online with a library of over 750 games. Most of these games are slots from top developers like NetEnt and IGT, including progressive jackpots like Mega Joker and Imperial Riches. For table game fans, you get several choices like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and live dealer options. On top of that, you can benefit from the renowned Caesars Rewards program, which allows players to earn and redeem credits on gaming at over 50 destinations across the US of A. It’s clear why Caesars Palace is a strong contender if you’re looking for social and sweepstakes casinos in New York.

Source: Caesars Palace Online Casino

Bonus offers

• Welcome bonus: New players can get 2,500 redeemable Caesars Palace Reward Credits.
• Ongoing promos: Stand a chance to win $10,000 by participating in the Super Slots Leaderboard. You also get game-of-the-week bonuses and refer-a-friend rewards.

Key features

• Game selection: With games like Mega Joker, Gorilla Go Wilder, Guns n’ Roses, Imperial Riches, and over 750 others, slots dominate the platform. You can also play progressive jackpots and dozens of table games like blackjack and roulette.
• Rewards program: You can redeem earned credits to make real purchases.
• Platforms: Caesars Palace online casino site is new and available on desktop and mobile. You can also get the app on iOS and Android. It’s easy to navigate and divides games into different categories.
• Customer Support: You can contact customer service through live chat, phone, or email.

What makes social and sweepstakes casinos in New York legal?

You might not be able to hit the jackpot with real money in New York just yet, since traditional real-money online casinos aren’t legal. However, social and sweepstakes casinos in New York operate under a different legal framework. That’s because unlike real-money casinos, where players wager and win actual cash, these platforms use virtual currencies like the Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins mentioned in this article. So, it’s no surprise that these online casino alternatives in NY being fully legal make them a popular option for New Yorkers. Here’s how the NY legal casino sites stack up against their real-money counterparts:

Feature	Real-money online casinos	Social and sweepstakes casinos
Legal availability	Available in only seven states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.	Legal in over 40 states, including New York.
Regulation	Monitored by state gaming control boards.	Follows sweepstakes laws and federal rules, like the Fair Credit Billing Act.
Age requirement	Must be 21 or older to play.	Open to anyone 18 and older.
Currencies used	Stake real money and win real cash (if you’re lucky).	Play with Gold Coins for fun or Sweeps Coins for real prizes (no cash upfront required).
How to obtain currencies	Make a deposit to load up your balance.	Earn Sweeps Coins through promotions, bonus gifts, or Gold Coin purchases.
Cash prize rules	Withdraw your winnings anytime. Payouts typically take under 24 hours to process.	Redeem prizes starting at 100 Sweepstakes Coins ($100); smaller amounts apply for gift cards.
State-specific rules	Rules vary depending on state regulations.	In New York, prizes from a single spin or hand can’t exceed $5,000 (sorry, high rollers).

Source: Pixabay

The future of New York online casinos

Real-money online casinos are still illegal in New York. Still, there’s a chance the rules might change as early as 2025 if more lawmakers and people warm up to the idea, even if progress is slow. Here’s a quick rundown of the latest updates on New York online casinos:

• January 2024: Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., the leading advocate for online gambling in the Empire State, filed a bill to make online casinos, internet lottery (iLottery), and poker part of legal gaming in New York.
• May 2024: Senator Addabbo rejigged his proposal and launched a new bill that focuses solely on legalizing online poker. He narrowed the scope after resistance to the initial wider bill including online casinos and iLottery games.
• July 2024: There was an extension to the deadline for licensing applications for three downstate casinos to June 2025. This change seems to reflect that the state’s attention is on physical casino expansion for now.
• October 2024: New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that requires gambling ads to include warnings about potential harms. This might be a sign of a cautious but proactive approach to gambling legislation.

Addabbo’s new bill, SB 9226, hasn’t been able to gain the necessary backing and support just yet. But let’s not forget that he did spearhead the push for legal sports betting in New York, which now happens to be the largest sports betting market in the U.S. So, there might be some hope there.  

For now, social and sweepstakes casinos in New York are filling the gap, and honestly, they’re doing a pretty great job. These online casino alternatives in NY let you play for free, rack up rewards, and have an experience that feels super close to the actual thing. And, you never know, by the time those downstate casinos do open their doors, you might also be celebrating the launch of real-money NY legal casino sites. Fingers crossed.

Try your luck

Sure, the Empire State might not have real-money online casinos yet, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Social and sweepstakes casinos in New York like BetRivers, High 5 Casino, BetMGM, Hello Millions, and Caesars Palace Online Casino have given players a fun way to enjoy legal gaming in New York. These NY legal casino sites allow you enjoy slots, table games, and even live dealer action without spending a dime. Add in the generous bonuses and plenty of rewards and you have enough to keep you entertained. So, why wait? Check out these top New York online casinos and start playing. You can experience the thrill and stay on the right side of the law. Plus, if you’re a new player, you get the chance to already be a pro by the time real-money casinos get greenlit.