However, in 2016, the New York State Gaming Commission passed regulations allowing certain types of poker games to be played legally within the state. For many years, poker fell into the latter category. While some types of gambling are legal in the state (such as horse racing and lottery games), others are not. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about poker rooms in New York.įirst of all, it’s important to understand that New York has some strict gambling laws. The answer is yes, but the laws surrounding poker in New York can be a bit confusing. If you’re a poker enthusiast living in New York, you might be wondering if the state has any poker rooms.