New York online poker bill moves to Senate

New York has edged closer to the potential introduction of legalised online poker after a bill that would regulate such activates advanced to the Senate.

According to the Casino Guardian, the US state’s Senate Finance Committee this week passed bill S3898 by a vote of 27 to 9.

The decision comes after the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee also approved the bill by a unanimous vote of 11 to 0.

However, the bill has some way to go before it comes into law, having last year advanced to the local Senate before failing to gain support from the Assembly and was eventually dropped.

The latest version of the bill includes proposals to classify certain types of poker games, such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hold’em, as skill and make them legal in the state.

S3898 would grant regulatory licensing and scrutiny powers to the New York State Gaming Commission, while operators that wish to operate in the state would face a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue and a licence fee of $10 million (€9.2 million).

If approved, a maximum of 10 companies would be able to offer online poker in New York.

In addition, the bill would allow for intestate gambling compacts with other US states that have legalised online poker, this allowing for combined player pools.

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