Bingo in New York is making a come back and is now really popular. One of the most attractive aspects of Bingo is its fun social activity, whether online or at bingo parlors, coupled with the fact that you could also win some fantastic prizes.
Bingo used to be an extremely popular game, but then saw a significant drop off in membership during the late 1990s to early 2000s. However, with the advancement of technology, particularly the increase in internet speed and the newfound need for physical safety, players are moving towards online bingo.
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Is Bingo Legal in New York?
Like many other US States, bingo is a form of Charitable gaming. It is legal in the law and is a regulated form of “gambling”. There are quite strict and clear laws for bingo operators.
In order to conduct bingo gaming, the operator must be licensed. A license can be applied through the New York State Gaming Commission, and various forms must be completed and then approved before receiving a license. Each license is at the most one year, upon which it must be renewed.
Once licensed, bingo operators cannot conduct more than 18 days of bingo gaming within a calendar quarter. Players must pay a fee to join a bingo game that cannot exceed $5.
The net proceeds from bingo operators must be deposited into a designated bingo account which can be considered like a trust account.
It is strongly recommended by the Commission, that there is a Bingo committee which oversees the implementation of internal controls and can be held responsible for the bingo activities.
The minimum legal age to play bingo is 18 years of age.
Is Online Bingo Legal in New York?
Online bingo on the other hand, is not legal in New York. Although some states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania do host online bingo games, New York doesn’t allow this.
However, there are some loopholes. There are online bingo sites that are operated outside of the US, and legally. New Yorkers are allowed to play online bingo via these sites. If you end up in one of these sites, however, be wary of potential scammers. Some websites are fake and are only there to steal your information.
There are some signs you can look out for that point to a fake bingo website. Sites that are legitimate will have social media accounts and a large following. The website is also legally required to have a license and must be approved by a gambling committee. If the website doesn’t have a license, that means it is illegal.
You can check to see if the website has a license by scrolling down to the very bottom of the page, and looking for the block of text that states that the website is legally licensed and is approved to run by the gambling committee.
Recommended New York Online Bingo Sites
Choosing a bingo site can be relatively difficult if you don’t know what you are looking for. The newest bingo sites contain a lot of really cool features and a bunch of games which vary from the traditional to the contemporary. Our selection of bingo sites, have been carefully selected based on their safety, deposit and withdrawal methods, and game play.
Safety – without doubt the most important aspect of a bingo site, is safety. Not only for the player’s security when playing online, but also that the site is not a scam. A safe site is one that is honest and trustworthy. They moderate the bingo groups and offer a fair chance for all players to win and enjoy the game.
Deposit and Withdrawal methods – following on from safety, are payment methods that are secure, easy to perform and are common. Avoid sites which offer unknown payment methods, and keep to those which offer recognizeable and reputable payment methods that can be trusted.
Game Play – lastly, bingo games now come in a lot of variety. Online bingo offers a whole lot of cool features which enhances player enjoyment. Bingo developers have created new themes and objectives that wouldn’t have been possible in the past. Game quality is also extremely important. A glitchy game is terrible for players, hence we’ve also taken that aspect into consideration. The online bingo sites that we recommend all have smooth interfaces, quality state of the art graphics and exciting player features.
Online Bingo Player Guide
There are no physically boundaries when playing at bingo sites. Thus, in theory, online bingo can invite many people from around the world to join in one game. However, you will find that usually it is people within your vicinity that play together.
When playing online bingo, the awareness of social media, internet security, protection of personal should be taken into consideration.
Staying safe online
I personally like to protect as much as my personal details when playing online bingo. I never use my real first name and surname to create my username. Never share personal details, including address, email, phone number on social media or revealed in text or voice chat.
Accurate Information
Be sure to enter the true date of birth when signing up. This will entitle you to winnings, without breaching terms and conditions. If you enter completely false details, it may be difficult to withdraw your winnings.
Chat Settings
Every online bingo site has chat settings. Go to the account settings and adjust them as required. The chat settings can be customized to your preferences.
Blocking
You have the ability to block others from chatting with you, including blocking someone while a bingo game is being played. This is done by either going to your account settings and choosing that the player to block.
Report It
Online bingo sites encourage players to report bad behavior. This can be done by emailing the online bingo site, or clicking on a quick contact submission found within the site (players page).
Local Bingo Halls
You can find bingo halls in New York all over the state, particularly at casinos in upstate New York. These casinos include:
And here is a list of bingo halls in New York which include:
If you do end up venturing out for a game of bingo, make sure everyone in your party is 18 years or older. If they aren’t they will be allowed inside the bingo hall but they will not be allowed to play.
This is because of legislation enacted in New York in 2017 that banned minors from being able to play bingo. As you can imagine, this legislation did not go over well and in 2019, Sen. Timothy Kennedy introduced a bill that would allow minors to be able to play bingo so long as there was an adult present.
Our Recommended Bingo Halls
From our list of bingo halls above, we recommend visiting the following:
Fifth Avenue Bingo Hall: This bingo hall is located in Brooklyn and is held every night at 6 pm except on Sundays. It’s perfect for those who want to get in a quick game after work. It is worth noting that you have to pay to play, and have to purchase your own card. However, your winnings could more than make up for it.
If you’re hungry while you play, you can opt for table service while playing the game.
Top Bingo Hall: This Bingo Hall is in Queens and is touted as one of the largest bingo halls in New York. You can eat at a concession hall and can even win jackpots of up to $6,000. There are bingo games available every evening. If you want to go during the day however, you’ll have to go on Mondays, Fridays or Saturdays.
Le Poisson Rouge: If you’re looking for a rowdier game of bingo, check out the games of Le Poisson Rouge. They are hosted by a drag queen, so you know you’ll have a good time. Admission is free and there are drink specials all night long.
The Standard Grill: The Standard Grill is located in Manhattan, and is located right underneath the High Line. Although the bingo games here aren’t consistent as they are in other places, they are still fun and worth attending when they’re available. They have food and drink specials all night as well as a DJ.
Stonewall Inn: This iconic bar also offer bingo nights hosted by drag queens. The best part is, you can come and play here while enjoying bottomless mimosas as the bingo games happen during their brunch.
FAQ
You need to be 18 years of age or older to play bingo in New York State.
Yes you can. There are online bingo sites that accept New York Players. Playing online bingo requires you to be 18 years of age or above.
In order to operate a bingo hall in New York State, you must apply for a license from the New York Gaming Commission. Only non profit organisations may apply, with net proceeds to be held in a designated bingo account.