New Yorkers' Travel Guide To Casinos

Sure, you can have fun with scratch-off lottery tickets and off-track betting -- even occasional church bingo or raffles sorta make do -- but the thrilling action of a casino's table games and the unending music of paying slots just aren't part of the Big Apple's scene.

Fear not, eager gambler. Thanks to maritime law, New York's neighboring states and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, you have options.

• Out to Sea
• South to Atlantic City
• Northeast to Connecticut
• North in Upstate New York
• Too Much of a Fun Thing

Out to Sea

Launched in July 2010, Opus Casino Cruise Lines (877.321.6787; opusccl.com) takes passengers from Freeport, New York, out beyond the territorial waters of the United States where the dice and cards can play freely. Cruises depart daily, evenings on Monday to Thursday and mornings on Fridays and weekends.

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South to Atlantic City

The default gambling destination for generations of New Yorkers, Atlantic City boasts the most casinos to be found in one trip. This seaside community has been largely successful in its attempt to become the Las Vegas of the East Coast, thanks in part to the popularity of Mike Tyson's fights during the height of his career. Big money continues to land big-name performing acts, and at just an hour or two away from New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, AC continues to bring out-of-state dollars to New Jersey. Top casinos there include...

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Northeast to Connecticut

While Las Vegas and Atlantic City win all the glory, little Connecticut wins for size. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe runs Foxwoods, which with 7,200 slot machines and 380 table games, boasts itself as the largest casino in the world. Coming in second place for size is Mohegan Sun, the state's other major tribal venue.

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North in Upstate New York

Tribes running casinos in New York State are further away from the city and tend to be much smaller than their closer rivals, but each offers charms welcome to those making the trip.

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Too Much of a Fun Thing

Those facing problem gambling should reach out to the New York Council on Problem Gambling (800.437.1611; nyproblemgambling.org) or Gamblers Anonymous (213.386.8789; gamblersanonymous.org).

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