Addabbo Calls May 14 Meeting About New York Legal Gambling Expansion

New York Sen. Joe Addabbo speaks at a conference
Photo by Bonus News/Alex Weldon

So far, his New York online poker bill isn’t on the agenda for the May 14 meeting state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. scheduled. However, considering he’s the chairman of the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee and SB9226 is his proposal, the body will probably discuss that form of legal gambling expansion.

Addabbo, D-Woodhaven, introduced SB9226 on May 7. The New York online poker bill allows up to 10 sites and taxes operators at 15%.

Meanwhile, his iGaming and iLottery bill — SB8185 — also sits in the committee and is absent from the agenda. However, despite its comparatively lengthy presence before lawmakers, the New York State Legislature hasn’t embraced the online casino, poker, and iLottery measure he proposed on Jan. 11. Opposition from the state’s retail casino workers union, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC), may play a role in that stagnation.

Some of the nine bills on the May 14 agenda pertain to legal gambling expansion, but most amend existing laws. For any of the bills to become law, legislators must approve them by the time they adjourn on June 6. Then, they require Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul‘s signature.

New York Online Poker Proposal

Addabbo’s online poker bill appears to address an upcoming deficit the senator believes will arrive after this fiscal year. In several interviews with Bonus, Addabbo said he wants to expand legal gambling in 2023 so the funds to address those shortfalls begin arriving in 2024.

SB9226 forecasts online poker will generate $2 million to $5 million annually in tax revenue. Plus, the $10 million, 10-year license fee may bring in as much as $100 million if 10 operators sign on.

State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow introduced AB1380 on Jan. 3, proposing the same tax rate and license fee.

Addabbo’s bill suggests:

To authorize the New York State Gaming Commission to license certain entities to offer for play to the public certain variants of internet poker which requires a significant degree of skill, specifically ‘Omaha Hold’em’ and ‘Texas Hold’em.’

Pretlow’s bill emphasizes online poker requires skill rather than “luck.”

That particular language is controversial in the gambling community because “skill games” manufacturers use the difference between skill and chance in their legal fights.

Meanwhile, if Addabbo and Pretlow’s bills succeed, New York may become like Nevada. Nevada’s only legal iGaming is online poker.

Sports Betting on the May 14 Agenda

The two bills that may get the most attention during the May 14 meeting concern daily fantasy sports (DFS) and mobile sports betting.

On April 11, Addabbo introduced SB9044 to regulate DFS. From Florida to Michigan and beyond, states have been tightening rules on that betting style for the past couple of years.

However, the bill with the most significant price tag may be the 3% of mobile sports tax revenue state Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey wants to redirect to problem gambling, youth team sports, and youth sports and education funding. Bailey, D-Mount Vernon, allocated 1% for each of the funds in SB9236. Addabbo is co-sponsoring the bill introduced on May 7.

On Jan. 8, 2022, New York online sportsbooks launched and began paying the state’s 51% tax rate. At the moment, New York requires $6 million annually to go toward problem gambling funds.

About the Author

Heather Fletcher

Heather Fletcher

Heather Fletcher was a Lead Writer at Bonus, concentrating on online casino coverage. She specializes in breaking news, legislative coverage, and gambling marketing strategy overviews.

Get connected with us on Social Media

Want the Good Stuff? We’ve Got You. Get The Drop—Bonus.com’s sharp, weekly newsletter with the wildest gambling headlines actually worth your time. Plus, we’ll hit your inbox now and then with exclusive offers, big jackpots, and other things we’d hate for you to miss.
Select a state
Select a state

                    Alabama                Alabama

                    Alaska                Alaska

                    Arizona                Arizona

                    Arkansas                Arkansas

                    California                California

                    Colorado                Colorado

                    Connecticut                Connecticut

                    District of Columbia                District of Columbia

                    Delaware                Delaware

                    Florida                Florida

                    Georgia                Georgia

                    Hawaii                Hawaii

                    Idaho                Idaho

                    Illinois                Illinois

                    Indiana                Indiana

                    Iowa                Iowa

                    Kansas                Kansas

                    Kentucky                Kentucky

                    Louisiana                Louisiana

                    Maine                Maine

                    Maryland                Maryland

                    Massachusetts                Massachusetts

                    Michigan                Michigan

                    Minnesota                Minnesota

                    Mississippi                Mississippi

                    Missouri                Missouri

                    Montana                Montana

                    Nebraska                Nebraska

                    Nevada                Nevada

                    New Hampshire                New Hampshire

                    New Jersey                New Jersey

                    New Mexico                New Mexico

                    New York                New York

                    North Carolina                North Carolina

                    North Dakota                North Dakota

                    Ohio                Ohio

                    Oklahoma                Oklahoma

                    Oregon                Oregon

                    Pennsylvania                Pennsylvania

                    Rhode Island                Rhode Island

                    South Carolina                South Carolina

                    South Dakota                South Dakota

                    Tennessee                Tennessee

                    Texas                Texas

                    Utah                Utah

                    Vermont                Vermont

                    Virginia                Virginia

                    Washington                Washington

                    West Virginia                West Virginia

                    Wisconsin                Wisconsin

                    Wyoming                Wyoming
Rest of the World
No Results
You are already subscribed to our newsletter. Want to update your preferences data?
Thank you for signing up! You’re all set to receive the latest reviews, expert advice, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Stay tuned!
View Offers
Something went wrong. Please try again later