New York State Senator John Bonacic (R-42) has introduced a bill that would bring regulated online poker to the Empire State.
Full text of the bill (S 5302) is available here. You can track the bill’s progress here.
This marks the second consecutive year that Bonacic has introduced online poker legislation. HIs attempt in 2014 – matched by companion legislation in the Assembly – failed to move beyond committee.
The bill is largely similar to the one introduced by Bonacic in 2014.
One key difference: this version lacks a so-called “bad actor clause” that would preclude companies, individuals or assets involved in accepting wagers from the U.S. after UIGEA from participating in New York’s regulated market.
Other key points:
While the introduction of a bill is a step in the right direction, there’s plenty to suggest that moving online poker ahead remains a challenging task.
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, head of the Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering told GamblingCompliance in January that “online poker will not happen within the year, but there will probably be hearings.”
Pretlow reiterated that general sentiment in April at iGaming North America and implied a lack of faith in the technological processes surrounding age and identity verification.