New York State Senate Considers Bill to Legalize Online Poker
A bill has been introduced in the State Senate to legalize online poker games, specifically, Omaha Hold’em and Texas Hold’em. The bill, identified as SB9226, is currently under review by the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.
Details of the Bill
Sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo, SB9226 seeks to categorize poker as a game of skill rather than a game of chance. This classification is important as it influences legal and regulatory approaches to the game.
The bill proposes that the New York State Gaming Commission be empowered to issue up to ten licenses for the operation of online poker platforms.
Each license would carry a fee of $10 million and remain valid for a decade. Notably, the fee paid for obtaining the license could be offset against taxes for the first 60 months of operation. Furthermore, the bill stipulates a 15% tax rate on gross gaming revenues, which would be contributed to the state’s commercial gaming fund.
Legislative Background
The introduction of SB9226 follows the failure of a previous bill, also sponsored by Senator Addabbo, which did not pass earlier in the year.
This previous bill included provisions for broader online casino gaming and poker but did not garner sufficient support to advance through the legislative process.
Recommended