New York Senate votes to legalise online poker
For the first time ever, the New York State Senate has voted in favour of a bill geared toward the legalisation and regulation of online poker. The poll, carried out Tuesday this week, came in at a comprehensive 53 votes to 5, and has been dubbed “a historic expansion of gambling” for the Empire State.
Although this now gives permission for the state’s 11 racetrack casinos to apply for a license to run regulated online poker games, the bill does still need to pass an Assembly vote and then gain the governor’s signature. These steps will be considered this week, as it is the final week of New York’s legislative session this year.
At present, New York’s constitution prohibits gambling other than on state lotteries, horse racing and within casinos with state approved licenses. The bill seeks to class the games of Texas Hold’em and Omaha in a skill bracket, which would bypass the current prohibition of online poker.
It is rumoured that if online poker does indeed become legal in New York, which would become only the fourth US state after Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey to regulate online poker since Black Friday in 2011, the state’s racetrack casinos will partner with Las Vegas-based casinos to create their online poker offerings.
“We applaud the Senate for passing this sensible legislation that will help protect New Yorkers who have for years played online poker on unprotected, off-shore poker websites that today operate with no regulation, fraud controls, or age restrictions”, said John McManus, Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts General Counsel minutes after the result was announced.
“Creating a safe, regulated option for online poker players in New York would generate millions in tax revenue that could be used for education and other critical investments.”
New York’s 20 million residents make it one of the most lucrative markets in the US, and the state’s online poker market is expected to be worth around $120 million by the end of year one.