New York Gets New Bill to Legalize Online Casino Gaming

The state of New York has gotten a new bill that would legalize and regulate both online casino gaming and internet lottery in the state, joining a market that already includes online sportsbetting.

The bill was introduced in the state's Senate by Senator Joseph Addabbo, and is formally known as Senate Bill S8185. The bill would allow for the state's casinos, tribes, and racetracks to obtain gaming licenses to offer online betting should they want a license, while three additional licenses also available through a bidding process.

Each casino will pay a one-time fee of $2 million, while platforms or software groups will have to pay a one-time fee of $10 million. Betting would be available through desktop computers and mobile devices. The activity would see operators paying a 31.5% tax rate from gross gaming revenues. Of this, $11 million will be distributed to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports as well as the New York State Gambling Commission.

Gambling would be open to those 21 years of age or older.

This is the latest attempt by Senator Addabbo to legalize online gambling, as he introduced Senate Bill 4856 last year. That measure failed.

We're following the development of the bill and will be updating readers as we learn more.