New York Online Poker Bill Passes Commitee Vote

Pete - Tuesday, February 2, 2016, Written by- Tuesday, February 2, 2016, Online poker

The prospect of regulated online poker in New York looks may become a reality if current momentum is maintained. Earlier today a committee hearing passed through an online gaming bill by a concensus of 9-0, the first time such a bill has got this far since the topic of igaming regulation was introduced in 2013.

The vote for bill S5302B did not take place at the hearing, which was a mere four minutes long, but the result was later shown on the committee's website

The sponsor of the bill is Sen. John Bonacic, who is also the chairman of the racing, gaming and wagering committee, The bill will move on to the Senate Finance Committee

The progress has been welcomed by the PPA (Poker Players Alliance), and John Pappas, the Alliance's executive director made this statement after the vote:

“The PPA thanks Chairman John Bonacic and the Committee for acting quickly to pass iPoker legislation through the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. If passed into law, the bill would provide New Yorkers who play poker online with a safe and regulated environment, while bringing in revenue for the state. We encourage the Finance Committee to move quickly to usher the legislation through the Senate, and also urge the Assembly to move forward with their respective legislation.”

There's a way to go yet before residents of the Big Apple can play regulated online poker, but things are certainly looking brighter than ever before.