Quick answer
Yes. Bingo is legal in New York when an authorized nonprofit runs it in a city or town that has passed a local bingo law. The State Gaming Commission oversees charity bingo and towns issue the licenses. Players must be 18. Real-money online bingo is not legal, and online sweepstakes casinos have been banned since December 5, 2025.
| Charitable / hall bingo | Legal |
|---|---|
| Real-money online bingo | Not legal |
| Sweepstakes bingo sites | Banned |
| Tribal casino bingo | Yes |
| Minimum age | 18 for charity bingo (casino ages vary) |
| Regulator | New York State Gaming Commission, Division of Charitable Gaming |
Is bingo legal in New York?
Yes, but only where local government has said yes. New York’s charity bingo system has a local-option twist: a licensed game can be held only in a city, town or village that has enacted a bingo local law and filed it with the state. If a municipality later revokes its law, bingo there stops.
Two levels of government share the job:
- The New York State Gaming Commission’s Division of Charitable Gaming investigates, audits and monitors games, licenses bingo equipment manufacturers and distributors, and issues each organization a Bingo Identification Number.
- The municipality issues the actual bingo license once the group has that ID number.
Only authorized nonprofits can run games, and the Commission says they must have existed for at least a year and keep current membership rolls.
How old do you have to be to play bingo in New York?
18. The Gaming Commission’s rule is that people under 18 may attend a bingo occasion but may not play. Teens 16 to 18 can help with non-gaming jobs such as the snack bar, cleaning and setup.
Tribal and commercial casinos set entry ages under their own rules and compacts, so check before you visit.
Can you play online bingo for real money in New York?
No. As of October 2026, New York has not legalized online casino games, and charity bingo is an in-person activity at a licensed location. Online sports betting is legal in New York, but that law doesn’t cover bingo.
Free bingo apps and social games where you can’t win cash are fine. Our online bingo guide explains how to tell them apart from real-money sites.
Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in New York?
No. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S5935A on December 5, 2025 (Chapter 605 of the Laws of 2025). It bans operating, promoting or supporting online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency model, and it took effect immediately. Payment processors, game suppliers, platform providers and media affiliates are all barred from supporting these sites, and the Gaming Commission and Attorney General can impose fines of $10,000 to $100,000.
Most operators had already left New York after the Attorney General sent cease-and-desist letters to more than two dozen platforms in mid-2025. For background on the model, read sweepstakes bingo explained.
Where can you play bingo in New York?
Several New York nations run gaming on their own land. The clearest example of an active tribal bingo room we could confirm is Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in Hogansburg, run by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe near the Canadian border, which lists bingo among its games.
Everywhere else, bingo means charity games. Look for them at:
- Catholic parishes and other churches
- Volunteer fire departments
- VFW and American Legion posts, Elks lodges and Knights of Columbus councils
Schedules move around, so call ahead. Your town or city clerk can tell you which groups hold a current bingo license.
How to run a charity bingo game in New York
New York has more paperwork than most states, but the steps are clear:
- Check your municipality. Make sure your city, town or village has a bingo local law on file.
- Get a Bingo Identification Number from the Gaming Commission. The Commission’s “How to Conduct Charitable Gaming” page has the application.
- Apply to the municipal clerk for the license, which lasts 12 months. The license fee is $18.75 per occasion, plus a 3% fee on reported net proceeds.
- Stay within limits. No more than 18 days of bingo per quarter, no single prize over $5,000, and no more than $15,000 in prizes per occasion.
- File reports on time. Forms BC-7 and BC-7B go to the clerk within 7 days after each session, the quarterly BC-7Q within 15 days of quarter-end, and an annual statistics report by February 1.
The Commission also runs free monthly compliance seminars for new bingo chairs. Pair that with our bingo fundraiser guide for the event-night details, and brush up on how to play bingo if your volunteers are new to calling.
If gambling ever stops being fun, help is free at 1-800-GAMBLER. Our responsible gaming page lists more resources.
Bingo halls in New York
A selection of places to play bingo in person. Schedules change — check with the venue before you go.
| Venue | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort | Hogansburg | Tribal casino bingo hall |
Frequently asked questions
Can kids go to bingo in New York?
They can attend, but they can't play. The State Gaming Commission says people under 18 may be present at a bingo occasion but are not permitted to play. Teens aged 16 to 18 may help with non-gaming tasks such as concessions and cleanup.
What is the biggest bingo prize allowed in New York?
A single charity bingo prize is capped at $5,000, and total prizes for one bingo occasion can't exceed $15,000.
Why can't my town hold bingo?
Charity bingo can only be held in a municipality that has enacted a local bingo law and filed it with the Gaming Commission. If your town hasn't, licensed games can't be held there.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New York?
No. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S5935A on December 5, 2025 (Chapter 605 of 2025), banning online sweepstakes games. The law took effect immediately and also targets payment processors and suppliers that support them.
How often can a New York charity run bingo?
Charity bingo is limited to 18 days per calendar quarter for each licensed organization, and each license is good for 12 months.
Sources
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