Is the New York Online Poker Market Opening Soon?

New York can become the fourth state to legalize regulated online poker in the United States after Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. 

New York State assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow has recently talked optimistically about allowing the Empire State’s residents to play poker online with FIOS1 News. Pretlow previously had doubts about the ability of online poker operators to prevent cheating or to deny access from players outside New York State, but after studying the system that is in place in the neighboring New Jersey his concerns eased and now is fully behind legal online poker in his state.

Bill S 3898, titled “An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law and the penal law, in relation to allowing certain interactive poker games” has passed the State Senate easily last year with 53-5, but because of the aforementioned concerns the State Assembly hasn’t even taken a vote on it. 

If it’s signed into law, the bill would officially classify Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hold’em poker as a game of skill, as opposed to a game of chance. 

Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo has not taken a stance on the issue on the record yet, but most people believe it’s unlikely he would veto online poker legalization in New York if the Assembly passes it.