New York Gets Online Poker Bill

This week New York Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow introduced a bill that would legalize online poker in the Empire State by classifying the game as being skill-based.

The bill is formally known as House Bill 1380 and would amend the currently existing gambling laws in the state, redefining Omaha Hold'em and Texas Hold'em as being games of skill, rather than games of luck. This change in definition would therefore make the games legal by default, opening operators to being able to offer the game.

Online poker would have state regulation overseen by the New York State Gambling Commission, which would have to implement online poker regulation within 180 days of the bill being signed into law. The verbiage in the bill would allow for eleven licenses to be dished out, with casino operators able to take part.

Application fees for a license would be $10 million, which can be split into 60 monthly installments. Online poker would be taxed at a rate of 15% on Gross Gaming Revenue, with funds going to New York's state lottery fund.

This isn't the first first time that lawmakers have tried to legalize online poker in New York, as previous attempts in 2019 and 2022 both fell flat.

Casino Listings News is following the story and will update readers as appropriate.