Determined New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow has started 2016 with a renewed attempt to legalise online poker, resubmitting as bill A9049, a measure reportedly unchanged from last year’s, which failed to make it out of committee.
There are rumours that Senator John J. Bonacic, whose similar bill in the state Senate failed last year, is also considering a reintroduction of his measure.
The two politicians chair gaming and racing committees in the Assembly and the Senate respectively, and therefore have some influence, although that has not enabled them to progress their poker bills to a vote so far.
This year’s deliberations may be more favourable, given that the distraction of three land casino licence awards is now out of the way, and the looming threat that neighbouring Pennsylvania may legalise online poker (see previous reports).
There are some observers who believe that the current skill vs. chance debate over daily fantasy sports may also influence events.
Assemblyman Pretlow’s measure calls for $10 million licenses to be offered, and a tax rate of 15 percent on GGR.