New York Senate overwhelmingly approves online poker bill

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with 1.2 million enthusiasts nationwide and more than 40,000 advocates in New York, today commended the New York Senate for overwhelming passing S. 5302, a bill to license and regulate internet poker in the state, with a 53-5 vote and urges quick action to enact the bill into law before the state legislative session ends on Thursday, June 16.

"Today marks a major achievement for internet poker regulation, but to be complete this bill must get to Governor Cuomo's desk for signature. Thousands of PPA members in New York have contacted their state lawmakers and the state Senate responding by passing a bill that would finally provide consumers with a safe and regulated place to play poker online," said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. "With the state legislative session coming to an end this week, now is time for the Assembly to make iPoker regulation a priority. The consumer case for Internet poker regulation is clear, plus it will raise millions in new revenue for the state without raising taxes. There is no other proposal before the legislature that can do this. Not acting on it would essentially amount to the legislature turning their back on consumer protections and new revenue without raising taxes."

The PPA's New York iPoker Advocacy Page allows New Yorkers to easily contact influential lawmakers through Twitter and email. Visit the PPA's advocacy page to support online consumer protections for all New Yorkers.