New York Again Considering Online Poker As Gov. Leaves iGaming Off Budget
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New York lawmakers are again considering legislation to legalize online poker, but the effort hit a wall this week as Governor Kathy Hochul excluded projected iGaming revenues from the Empire State's 2024 budget.
The setback for online poker in New York comes on the heels of an ad initiative by a coalition of iGaming operators encouraging state lawmakers to legalize online gambling, something they argue 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 a lengthy history of considering and rejecting legislation that would legalize online poker.
In 2016, the Assembly shot down a bill that would've allowed the New York State Gaming Commission to grant up to 11 online poker licenses and expanded poker licenses beyond land-based casinos in the state, while a similar bill failed in 2017.
Last year, Democratic lawmakers put forward bills that would classify online poker as a game of skill and expand live poker beyond land-based casinos. Those efforts also failed.
On Jan. 11, Democratic state senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. introduced S8185, a bill to "regulate interactive gaming in New York" and outlining licensing requirements for iGaming providers.
As stated in the bill, the state would issue 10-year licenses to operators for $2 million per license, up to three of which that would be awarded "by a competitive bidding process."
The bill makes two specific mentions of poker, including in the definition of "authorized interactive game," which is "any internet-based version or substantial equivalent of a table game, slot machine constituting spinning reels, (or) poker tournament."
Predicting $1B In Revenue Through iGaming
Earlier this month, Pokerfuse reported that four members of the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) — BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics — produced a 30-second ad for a "Bet on NY" campaign to help New York "catch up (to) neighboring states" that offer legal online gambling.
"New York faces dangerous deficits, and there's an affordability crisis across the state," the ad states. "Life's already hard enough for people without raising taxes or cutting services. But there's a better way to begin addressing this problem."
"Neighboring states authorized gaming, creating billions in taxable revenue. By letting people play casino games online, we can decrease deficits and help our families and schools. Let's bring iGaming to New York."
Excluded From Governor's Budget
In the latest development in the fight to bring online poker to New York, Gov. Hochul, a Democrat, unveiled an executive budget that did not include anticipated revenues from online gambling.
Pokerfuse wrote that Hochul "has given a clear sign that NY online poker and casino gaming do not have her support — at least not yet" but added that there is still a chance the bill will pass through the legislature and make it to the governor's desk.
If New York were to legalize online poker, it could join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) that includes in Nevada, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virignia.
