New York may be one small step closer to the legalization and regulation of online poker activities, after the Senate Finance Committee voted on Thursday in favor of State Senator John Bonacic’s proposed legislation. The bill is to now enter the Senate floor for further consideration.
S5302B was passed by Finance Committee members extremely quickly and without prolonged discussions and comments on the matter. Being approved by the said committee could be defined as a certain progress for the proposed legislation, although it is difficult to say how significant.
Thursday’s 20-8 vote took place in a manner very similar to the 9-0 vote Sen. Bonacic’s bill received in February when it was voted by the New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. Here it is important to note that the committee is chaired by the bill’s sponsor himself.
Following the positive vote yesterday, Sen. Liz Krueger commented that more hearings should be held on the proposal so as for the community to be given the chance to voice its opinion on whether online poker would be welcomed in the state.
Despite the recent legislative support, the bill is not likely to be signed into law by the end of the year. According to Assemblyman Gary Pretlow the chances for the legislation to be further considered during this legislative session are very minute. In other words, what we have been witnessing recently could be described as a preparation for a more serious and systematic push next year.
Shortly after news about the positive Finance Committee vote spread in media, Nevada-based gambling operator MGM Resorts International released a statement to express optimism about the future of online poker and its popularity in New York.
The casino giant said that it applauds the committee’s decision to support the creation of “a safe, legal environment” for the provision of online poker options within the Empire State’s borders, an environment that would contribute millions of dollars to the coffers and would offer open and equal opportunities for Internet poker operators.
The Thursday vote in New York occurred at a time when Pennsylvania and other US states are considering the legalization of their online gambling markets and New Jersey is reporting considerable increase in revenue generated from Internet gambling, after PokerStars went live in the state in March 2016.
