- A new bill aiming to legalize online casino gaming and poker in New York has been introduced by Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.
- The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, which Addabbo chairs.
- The fate of the bill hinges on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget.
- S8185 is almost identical to a previous attempt at legalization, S4856.
For the third consecutive year, supporters of expanded igaming in New York have filed a bill to legalize online casino gaming and online poker in the Empire State.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) introduced S8185 on Thursday. The bill was immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, which Addabbo chairs.
The odds of passage are unclear. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is scheduled to introduce her proposed budget to the New York State Legislature on Tuesday — if she includes revenue from online casino, that will mean the Democrat supports expanded igaming.
S8185 appears very similar to Addabbo’s last effort to legalize online casino and poker — S4856. That bill met its fate on January 5, when the enacting clause was stricken — thereby officially making it a dead piece of legislation.
Addabbo, who sat for an exclusive interview with Poker Industry PRO last October, did not return a message seeking comment Friday.
