Online poker bill filed in New York

Senator Joseph Addabbo has introduced a bill to legalise online poker in New York after 12 years of blockade.

US.- Online poker could soon return to the New York area should a bill recently filed by Senator Joseph Addabbo make its way through the Legislature and get signed into a bill. The proposed legislation would allow people aged 21 and above to play poker online, 12 years after the blockade set up on December 31, 2006.

Senate Bill 18 would set the ground for the state to issue up to 11 online poker licences, which would only be available for licensed video lottery gaming facilities and Class III (tribal) gaming licensees. Each licensee would be required to pay US$10 million up-front as a fee for the 10-year licence and would have to pay a 15% tax on GGR.

Sen. Addabbo was recently appointed chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, which will take on the task to further review the bill. He had also filed Senate Bill 17, which would set out a regulatory framework for land-based, online and mobile sports betting throughout the state and will be also studied by the committee.