New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D–District 15), a leading voice for legalizing regulated online gaming, reiterated his call for the state to authorize igaming, including online poker in New York.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for FanDuel’s new headquarters in New York earlier this week, an event attended by company executives and state officials, Addabbo used the opportunity to emphasize the inevitability of igaming expansion.
“It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when — and when it happens, we’re really going to blow this out of the water,” he said.
However, those hoping for the legalization of online casino games and online poker in New York may recall that this is not the first time Senator Addabbo has made such a statement; in fact, he’s been repeating it for years.
Back in 2022, Addabbo told pokerfuse in an exclusive interview, “igaming in New York is not a question of if, but when. It’s going to happen — just maybe not this year.”
He echoed a similar sentiment earlier this year in an interview with Covers, stating, “Eventually, iGaming will happen in New York, and we can’t cry over the billions that we lost by not doing it in years past, but it’s a question of when. When will we realize that, hey, we need to do this?”
Persistent Push for Legalized Online Poker and Casino in NY
Senator Addabbo Jr., who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, has long been the most vocal proponent of bringing licensed and regulated igaming to New York. Over the years, he has introduced several bills aimed at legalizing online casino gaming and poker, but none have advanced to a vote in either the Senate or the State Assembly.
This year, too, Addabbo continued his efforts by introducing SB 2614 in January, marking his third straight attempt to push igaming legislation. The proposal closely mirrors last year’s bill, calling for the legalization of online casino games and poker, and setting a 30.5% tax rate on gross gaming revenue for licensed operators.
Under the bill, licensed entities would be permitted to offer table games, slot machines, peer-to-peer poker, and live dealer games. Live dealer operations would be required to run from gaming studios located within New York State.
The legislation also outlines a one-time $2 million license fee for operators. Additionally, any third-party contractor providing a mobile gaming platform and displaying its own brand would need to pay a one-time fee of $10 million. As with previous proposals, each license holder would be limited to offering just one branded skin.
While Addabbo’s igaming bill has once again stalled, just as in previous years, his separate bill to ban sweepstakes casinos has gained traction. That legislation successfully passed the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.
A Matter of Time
Still, Addabbo remains steadfast in his push for regulated online gaming. Despite years of little to no progress, he continues to express confidence that online casino and poker will eventually be legalized in New York.
Online sports betting, which launched in the state in January 2022, has already proven to be a massive success. FanDuel has emerged as the market leader, outpacing competitors like DraftKings and Caesars, with over $2.1 billion in total handle and more than $1 billion in tax revenue generated during the last fiscal year alone.
Yet, igaming offers even greater potential. Because of its significantly higher profit margins compared to sports betting, online casinos could generate at least $1.5 billion annually in tax revenue for New York, on par with or even surpassing what’s seen in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
In fact, the Empire State is facing a projected $6 billion budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2026–27, and Addabbo, along with other supporters, argues that legalized online gaming could provide a stable and big source of revenue.
If New York were to legalize igaming, it would instantly become the largest market for online casino and online poker in the US, thanks to its population of nearly 20 million. A market launch would likely attract all the major players, including BetMGM Poker, PokerStars (through its partnership with FanDuel), WSOP, and BetRivers Poker.
However, like in many other states, online gaming in New York faces strong opposition. One of the most vocal critics is a powerful hotel and casino workers’ union, which argues that legalizing internet gaming could hurt brick-and-mortar casinos and threaten jobs. Others have raised concerns about increased gambling addiction and related social harms.
Still, as Senator Addabbo continues to emphasize, the arrival of regulated online casino and poker in New York is not a matter of if—but when.
