Dec 20, 2019 New York online poker. New York made significant headway in the fight to regulate online poker in 2016 and 2017, with legislation making it past the introductory phase for the first time. Online poker passed the Senate in both years, but little progress was made in 2018 or 2019. New York Gambling Options. We have quickly outlined the currently available gaming options in the state. Unfortunately, online poker in an official, licensed capacity is not fully legal and among it YET, but there are quite a few alternatives, including Live Poker. Horse Racing – Like many other states, this was the first legalized form of gambling.
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Latest NY online poker news
- by Martin DerbyshireOctober 8, 2018
- by Martin DerbyshireMarch 21, 2018
Online poker status in New York
Another year, another legislative session passed without online poker. New York legislators simply could not make things happen in the 2019 session for interactive gaming.
Even though state Sen. Joe Addabbo and Rep. Gary Pretlow introduced companion bills to legalize online poker, neither made it out of committee. Frankly, New York is struggling to pass laws for mobile sports betting, which lawmakers consider an easier sell than poker.
Poker In New York
So, unfortunately, New York must wait until 2020. At least.
New York citizens will have to become more active if they want online poker in their state.
New York legislative history
New York has long been home to several tribal casinos and racinos. However, in 2013, voters passed a measure to allow up to seven commercial casinos in the state.
So far, four commercial casinos have appeared in New York. They are:
- Del Lago Resort & Casino, Waterloo
- Rivers Casino & Resort, Schenectady
- Resorts World Catskills, Monticello
- Tioga Downs Casino, Nichols
Since then, legislators have been trying since 2014 to legalize online poker. Bills by Sen. John Bonacic and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow have had varying levels of success in making their way through the legislative bodies, but ultimately, all have died.
The notable parts of the bills have been their proposed regulations. They have made several recommendations, such as:
- Up to 10 licensees may operate online poker sites
- The licensing fee is $10 million
- Revenue would be taxed at 15 percent
- New York could enter into shared liquidity agreements with other states
New York online poker FAQ
Why is New York considering legalizing online poker?
Millions of New Yorkers play on unregulated online poker sites that operate without basic consumer protections. Legalization of the game will provide a safe environment for players while generating significant revenue for state coffers.
Due to this, the bills have gained widespread support from powerful casino lobbyists and a bevy of legislators.
When can players expect a bill to pass?
2020, at the earliest. Because New York is still working to get its act together on sports betting, legislators will likely feel more pressure to authorize that type of gambling first.
The Meadowlands Racetrack opened its sportsbook on July 14, 2018. The track’s proximity to New York City — 6 miles — means that legislators will have to watch New York dollars cross into New Jersey for several months.
Online poker’s best hope would be to piggyback itself onto a sports betting bill. However, it is unknown if such an amendment would be acceptable to pass.
However, New York’s land-based casinos have fallen short of revenue projections so far. It is possible that legislators could see online poker as a way to prop up those bottom lines.
Would New York offer online casino games?
Unlikely. Legislators have presented online poker bills in the last five years, and none of them have mentioned legalizing online casino games.
Would New York enter into to pooling agreements with other states?
New York Online Poker Bill
Likely. The proposed laws in the past have specifically granted that right to New York’s government once online poker itself was up and running.
However, the US Justice Department has thrown the entire notion of interstate pooling into question with its January 2019 Wire Act opinion. Although the government agency is fighting litigation over the decision and has delayed any enforcement until at least 2020, there is still a cloud over any type of expansion plans for interstate poker.
Should New York legalize online poker, how long will it take for sites to get up and running?
Up to a year. Under the most recent bill, the state would not grant licenses for 180 days after the passage of regulations. The operators’ readiness level will depend on how long an approval process would take after those 180 days.
Would out-of-state players be able to wager on New York online poker sites?
Possibly. In previously proposed bills, geolocation enforcement fell under the purview of the New York State Gaming Commission. However, players would not need a New York address to play on a state-regulated online poker site.
Can New Yorkers make any kinds of online wagers?
Sort of. The legislature passed a bill to allow daily fantasy sports play in 2016.
But, that law has experienced some legal setbacks. So, it’s unknown what the long-term outlook for DFS in New York is.
With varying opinions of online poker by New York lawmakers, will the state ever pass legislation allowing the games to take place?
For years now, the state of New York has considered online poker legislation. While discussions have taken place and bills introduced, no movement has come close to seeing iPoker legislation become law. In today’s climate, lawmakers have mixed feelings when it comes to online gaming in the state. There are those who are for the option and want to see legislation come to pass, while others are not so sure. The state may continue to fall behind if legislators cannot get on the same page when it comes to online gaming.
For Online Poker Gaming
Right now, one lawmaker that wants to see online poker come to pass in the state is Assemblyman Clyde Vanel. Efforts are being led by Vanel to see online poker legislation move forward. The Assemblyman recently pushed for legislators to sign a letter in favor of online poker but was unable to gain the numbers he wanted to see in support of the idea. The letter had 52 names listed and was sent to Speaker Carl Heastie to show that legislators are in favor of the gaming option.
To see online poker legislation come to pass in the state, there is going to have to be more support in place. Vanel will need to have the backing to get a proposal off the ground and moving if there is any way that online poker is going to gain any ground in New York.
The Opposition
And as there are those who are for online poker gaming, so are there those who are opposed. The opposition either does not want to see online gaming come to pass in the state or they are just not helping. Someone who has stood in the way for some time is Assemblyman Gary Pretlow. The Assemblyman has sponsored bills in the past that were introduced within the Assembly that supported online poker, but he tends to flip flop on the issue.
Online Poker In New York
Pretlow recently spoke with FiOS1’s Andrew Whitman about the gambling industry and seemed to focus on sports betting in a positive manner. When the subject of online poker was brought up, the Assemblyman began to speak in a negative connotation. He stated that online poker is a work in progress but eventually it would get done.
Pretlow stated that his fellow lawmakers feel that online poker is gambling, and he is trying to convince them that it is a game of skill and should not be considered gambling. According to the Assemblyman, this is a common argument within the legislature, but he thinks that eventually, the option will come to pass in the state.
Pretlw was asked during the interview if he felt that sports betting would help to push online poker along and he flat out said no. It seems that online poker gaming still has some ways to go in the state before even a proposal will be introduced that lawmakers can agree on.
In the meantime, neighboring states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are continuing their efforts with online gambling and NY is going to fall behind. New Jersey already has a booming online gaming industry with no signs of slowing down and Pennsylvania should begin offering online casino and poker games by the end of the year or early 2019.