New York Sweepstakes Casinos
Real-money online casinos are illegal in the state of New York, although upcoming legislation may change this very soon. Until that day, New York sweepstakes casinos are your best bet for playing casino-style games like slots, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and more.
Over 60 sweepstakes operators are legal in the Empire State, including blockbuster names like Hello Millions, Crown Coins, and McLuck. Let’s unpack sweepstakes casinos in New York and see how they’re similar and differ from real-money casino sites.
What Are New York Sweepstakes Casinos?
Instead of utilizing US dollars on their sites, these casinos use virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. You can play for free with Gold Coins, whereas you can redeem the Sweepstakes Coins as real cash prizes.
NY Sweepstakes Casino Games
Apart from their number, there’s not much to choose between casino games on sweeps sites and real-money sites. Most NY sweepstakes casinos have some combo of the following:
● Slots: classic slots, video slots, Megaways;
● Table Games: blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat;
● Live Games: video poker, live roulette, live baccarat;
● Originals: slot, dice, fish, Plinko.
The game providers are also very much the same. Well known producers like Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and NetEnt are all here, too. You won't yet find games made by Aristocrat, Bally, or WMS yet, but hopefully soon.
Sweepstakes Casino Currencies
Understanding virtual currencies is essential for playing on sweepstakes sites. Namely, to avoid being classified as gambling, sweepstakes casinos have introduced two main types of virtual currencies:
● Gold Coins: can be purchased in bundles and used for free play;
● Sweepstakes Coins: received as free gifts and can be redeemed for real cash prizes.
In some casinos, they’ve got their own exclusive names (e.g. WOW coins), but they all work the same way.
New York Sweepstakes Casino Offers
Instead of bonuses on first, second, or third deposit, New York sweepstakes casinos have promotions that give you both GC and free SC to play with. First, you’ll receive a no-deposit bonus (7,500 GC + 2.5 free SC on McLuck), and then have regular promos like:
● Daily Login
● Refer-a-Friend
● VIP Program
● Spin the Wheel
● Coins Back
Also, you will get discounts on GC packages, primarily on your first purchase.
Sweepstakes Casino Purchases and Redemptions
You don’t have to make purchases to play games at NY sweepstakes casinos. Promo offers will give you enough GC and SC.
But should you decide to do so, there is always a range of purchase methods available for acquiring GC bundles and receiving free SC. As for redemptions, New York has a limit of $5,000 worth of SC at a time, and you can decide whether to redeem real cash prizes or gift cards.
Current Online Gambling Legislation in New York
Unlike its neighboring states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, New York has yet to legalize real money online casino games like slots, and video poker. Senator Addabbo, who doesn’t hide his disdain for sweepstakes sites in NY, is pushing hard in this direction by introducing bill SB2614, which seeks to legislate online casino gaming in the Empire State.
A similar bill was introduced in 2021 and made sports betting legal and regulated by the New York State Gambling Commission. Also, you can legally participate in the State Lottery and DFS contests or try your hand in commercial and Native American casinos.
History of Sweepstakes Casinos in New York
The history of gambling in New York is just as fascinating as its more recent development. It is marked by swaying tides of prohibition and expansion, starting from the colonial period and continuing to the sweepstakes casinos of today.
Lotteries have been around since 1744 before being banned almost a century later. It was only post-prohibition that gambling in NY took off with racetracks, like the famed Saratoga Race Course, opening around the state.
More recently, sports betting was legalized in 2021 and has been a huge success since. Sweepstakes casinos came to the rescue from 2010 onwards since real-money online casinos are still outlawed, but recent developments may change all that. We’ll have to wait and see.
Best Sweepstakes Casinos in New York
New York players can join more than 60 sweepstakes sites, but not all are of the same quality. Some are better than others, and if we had to pick 5 best sweepstakes casinos in New York, they would be:
● Spree
Each of the five combines an excellent selection of casino-style games with generous bonuses to boot. They all sport instant redemptions and have a history of player-friendly practices like exclusive promotions and excellent customer support.
Feel free to check them out.
Are sweepstakes and social casinos legal in New York?
Yes, they are. You can legally register, play casino-style games, and even redeem real money prizes at any of the 60 sweepstakes casinos in New York.
Can I win real money playing at New York social sweepstakes casinos?
Not in the strict sense of the work. You can win and redeem real cash prizes or gift cards that are usable in large retailers like Amazon or Walmart. To do this, you have to play with Sweepstakes Coins.
Can I claim bonuses at New York sweepstakes casinos?
No, but promotional offers reward you with free GC and SC to play with. Likewise, you can use regular discounts on GC packages.
What types of games can I play at New York sweepstakes casinos?
New York sweepstakes sites feature hundreds of casino-style games like slots, poker, blackjack, and live dealer games.
