new York Lawmakers are again considering legislation to legalize online poker, but the effort failed this week Gov. Kathy Hochul Projected iGaming revenue was excluded from the Empire State’s 2024 budget.
The setback for online poker in New York follows a promotional push by a coalition of iGaming operators urging state lawmakers to legalize online gambling, which they say could bring in more than $1 billion in annual revenue for the state.
Learn more about online poker in New York
Will online poker finally come to New York?
New York lawmakers have long considered and rejected legislation that would legalize online poker.
In 2016, the Assembly rejected a bill that would have made this possible New York State Gaming Commission to grant up to 11 online poker licenses and expand poker licenses beyond land-based casinos in the state, while a similar bill failed in 2017.
Last year, Democratic lawmakers introduced bills that would classify online poker as a game of skill and expand live poker beyond land-based casinos. These efforts also failed.
On January 11th, Democratic Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. introduced S8185a bill to “regulate interactive gaming in New York” and establish licensing requirements for iGaming providers.
As stated in the The invoicethe state would award 10-year licenses to operators for $2 million per license, up to three of which would be awarded “through a competitive bidding process.”
The bill specifically mentions poker on two occasions, including in the definition of “authorized interactive gaming,” which is “any Internet-based version or substantial equivalent of a table game, a spinning-reel slot machine, or a poker tournament.”
We forecast $1 billion in revenue from iGaming
Earlier this month, Pokerfuse reported that four members of the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) — BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel And fanatic — produced a 30-second commercial for a “Bet on New York” Campaign to help New York “catch up with neighboring states” that offer legal online gambling.
“New York is facing dangerous deficits and there is an affordability crisis across the state,” the ad says conditions. “Life is already hard enough for people without tax increases or benefit cuts. But there is a better way to address this problem.”
“Neighboring states have approved gambling, creating billions in taxable revenue. By allowing people to play casino games online, we can reduce deficits and help our families and schools. Let’s bring iGaming to New York.”
Excluded from the governor’s budget
In the latest development in the fight to bring online poker to New York, Governor Hochul, a Democrat, introduced one Executive budget This did not include expected revenue from online gambling.
Pokerfuse wrote that Hochul has “sent a clear signal that online poker and casino gaming in New York does not have their support – at least not yet,” but added that there is still a chance the bill will pass the Legislature and makes it to the governor’s desk.
If New York legalized online poker, it could join Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) that includes in Nevada, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware And West Virginia.
