Online poker bill tabled in New York
Senator John Bonacic introduces online poker legislation in the Senate for the second time of asking
 New York Senator John Bonacic has tabled a bill seeking to legalize online poker in the state for the second time of asking, despite his legislation failing to get out of Committee last year. [private]
Bonacicâs latest attempt â SB 5302 â is broadly similar to last yearâs legislation aside from one major difference; it contains no âbad actorâ clause in line with the industryâs softening stance to the issue.
Under the bill, the state gaming regulator would be permitted to award a maximum of ten interactive poker licenses with each lasting for a period of ten years.
Operators and âsignificant vendorsâ would have to stump up a one-off $10m licensing fee, while tax rates would be set at 15% of gross gaming revenue.
The bill allows 180 days for regulations to be publicized once passed into law, with the first licenses issued 180 days later in a bid to prevent early licensees gaining an âunfair competitive advantage.â
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering and Gaming, but no hearing date has been set as of yet.
The bill faces an uphill battle with lawmakers yet to be convinced about the technology used to power sites and identify players.