Online Poker Regulation Bill Filed in New York

New York is taking another shot at bringing legal, regulated online poker to the state.

Democratic Senator, and Chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee Joseph Addabbo proposed Senate Bill 18 earlier this week that would legalize online poker in New York State.

Under Addabbo’s proposed bill the state would grant up to 11 licenses to brick and mortar gaming operators to open online poker rooms. These licenses would be made available to both private commercial casinos and tribal gaming operators.

New York Online Poker Regulation Rules

The cost of the license would be a one-time fee of $10 million and total gaming revenue would be taxed at 15 per cent. All operators would be exempt from taxation for the first 60 days of operation.

If online poker came to New York under the bill, it would limit prospective players to those within the state borders and over the age of 21. Currently in the New York the legal age to play live poker is only 18 years of age. The bill did not mention any possible future compacts between New York and other states to share player liquidity as has already been done in other states that have legalized online poker.

The bill would only allow those with a license to open online poker rooms. It does not include online casino games or online sports betting. A separate bill to legalize sports betting in the state had previously been filed.

This is the sixth straight year a bill proposing legalizing online poker has been filed in New York. Last year’s bill made it past a Senate vote but could not get through the House of Assembly to get in front the of governor.

One major difference between this year’s bill and the one filed last year is the addition of a bad actor’s clause. It states that any operators who continued to take money from American poker players following the passing of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act would be banned from applying for a license.

This clause could keep major poker players like PokerStars from applying in New York if the bill is passed.

The bill will first be reviewed by the New York Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. If it passes through the committee, it will be presented to the Senate for a future vote.