Senator John J. Bonacic has again thrown his hat into the ring with the introduction of an online gambling bill to the New York Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, a committee Bonacic chairs.
In summary, S3898 allows certain interactive poker games be considered games of skill rather than games of luck; includes definitions, authorization, required safeguards and minimum standards, the scope of licensing review and state tax implications; makes corresponding penal law amendments.
The bill details the proposed award of eleven online poker gaming licenses for a 10-year period. Each licensee would be required to pay a one-time fee of US$10 million, payable over sixty equal monthly installments to cover tax obligations.
S3898 also covers the creation of shared liquidity agreements with other states offering legalized online poker, currently Nevada and Delaware.
InfoPowa readers will recall a similar initiative introduced by Bonacic last year which ultimately failed in the New York State Assembly after passing through the Senate.