Report: New York Web Poker Bill Not To Be Pushed This YearSponsor Of Legislation Says He Wants To Start 'Discussion' |
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An online poker bill was introduced into the New York legislature last week, but don’t expect it to pass this year. The bill’s sponsor reportedly said his intention is not to pursue it seriously in 2014.
According to the Associated Press, Sen. John Bonacic, chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering and Gaming, said: “I don’t intend to push this this year. But we need to start a discussion.” New York joins other states in the country with a wait-and-see approach.
New York will eventually be home to a handful of additional casinos, after voters last year approved a gambling expansion proposal passed by lawmakers.
The idea is to see how those perform first before trying online poker.
The authorization of online poker, under the current bill, calls for awarding 10 licenses. Each license would be good for a decade, costing $10 million apiece. Revenues would also be subjected to a 15-percent tax. Of course, those numbers will debated heavily.
Right now, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legal and operational online gaming. California is still considered the favorite to legalize this year. However, it’s likely that no other state will end up authorizing forms of online gaming in 2014. Next year is a better bet.
The reason why California is the front-runner is because it has been looking at the issue for years and there is a very strong gambling business already existing in the state. With that said, the tribes are basically divided on organize such an industry.
PokerStars, the largest poker site in the world, wants in on California, but some tribes are trying to block such a move.
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