If you’re a poker enthusiast living in New York, you might be wondering if the state has any poker rooms. The answer is yes, but the laws surrounding poker in New York can be a bit confusing. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about poker rooms in New York.
First of all, it’s important to understand that New York has some strict gambling laws. While some types of gambling are legal in the state (such as horse racing and lottery games), others are not. For many years, poker fell into the latter category.
However, in 2016, the New York State Gaming Commission passed regulations allowing certain types of poker games to be played legally within the state. These games are limited to “contests of skill” rather than pure chance (which is why they’re not considered gambling).
So what does this mean for poker rooms in New York? Well, it means that some venues are now able to offer legal poker games. However, these games must meet certain criteria in order to be considered legal.
For example, the game must have a predetermined buy-in amount (meaning players can’t just keep adding money to their stack throughout the game). There must also be a set prize pool that’s announced ahead of time. And finally, there can’t be any rake or fees taken by the house (with one exception – more on that later).
Given these restrictions, you might think that there aren’t many places to play poker in New York. However, there are actually quite a few venues that offer legal games.
One popular option is Resorts World Catskills Casino in Monticello. This casino has a large poker room with 19 tables and offers a variety of games including Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi-Lo.
Another option is Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. This casino also has a sizable poker room with 32 tables and offers many different types of games including Seven-Card Stud and Pineapple.
Other venues that offer legal poker games in New York include the del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, and Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady.
It’s worth noting that while these venues offer legal poker games, they often have some restrictions on the types of players who can participate. For example, some casinos only allow players who are 18 or older to play, while others require players to be 21 or older.
Additionally, as we mentioned earlier, there is one exception to the rule about no rake or fees being taken by the house. Some venues are allowed to take a small percentage of the prize pool as a “convenience fee” for hosting the game. This fee is typically around 10% and is capped at a certain amount (usually $5).
In conclusion, if you’re looking for legal poker games in New York, there are definitely options available. Just be aware of the restrictions and regulations surrounding these games before you start playing. And if you’re not sure whether a particular venue offers legal games or not, it’s always a good idea to do some research before you go.
