Sen. Addabbo introduced a stand-alone online poker bill this week
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. introduced SB9226 on May 7 to consider authorizing online poker in New York. The legislation is in line with AB1380, which was introduced by Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow. However, legislators must move quickly to vote on both bills before the end of the session adjourning on June 6.
If approved, the online poker bill must still be endorsed by Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul before it becomes law. However, the likelihood of passing any iGaming legislation seems slim, as the governor excluded it from the executive budget passed in January.
Addabbo says that since legislators returned from spring break on May 6, he has been examining ways to compensate for the imminent budget deficit after the current fiscal year, and backing Pretlow’s poker bill may be the last chance to find a concession.
SB9226 proposes a 15% tax rate on online poker revenue, much less than the 30.5% tax in the iGaming bill that Addabbo feels could generate $2 billion in revenue. The online poker bill permits ten gaming licenses, which is one more than permitted for online sportsbooks in the state.
New York mobile sportsbooks are subject to a 51% tax, which has generated over $1.8 billion in revenue for the state since launching in January 2022.
No hearings have yet been scheduled to move either iGaming bill forward. Addabbo’s bill is currently in front of the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, while Pretlow’s legislation awaits discussion in the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Racing and Wagering.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
