New York Senate Finance Committee passes online poker bill

On Tuesday, the New York Senate Finance Committee passed online poker bill S3898, sponsored by Senator John J. Bonacic. The bill will now continue on to the Senate for further consideration.

The bill, previously passed by the Senate in 2016 before being shelved in the Assembly, was re-introduced on 27 January this year.

Under S3898, certain types of poker, including Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hold'em, would be classified as games of skill and legalized. The New York State Gaming Commission would handle regulations, licensing and judging potential operators.

The bill would also implement standards and safeguards for players to prevent fraud, underage play and compulsive gambling. A total of 15% of an operator's gross revenue would return to the state.

A provision for legalizing online poker was included in the Senate budget in March, but was removed. Legislators hope to handle online poker as its own issue.

Despite previous roadblocks, optimism remains high for the passage of online poker this year.