Legal and regulated online poker could be brought into New York by a bill that has been introduced by New York State Senator John Bonacic.

This will be the second year in a row that, Bonacic has presented legislation for online poker.

The proposed bill (Senate Bill 5302) is similar to the one that Bonacic introduced in 2014. However, there is one difference and that is it now lacks the bad actor clause. This clause would prevent individuals, companies, or assets involved in receiving wagers from the US after UIGEA from participating in a New York regulated market.

The bill’s introduction is the first step forward, but there are various factors that suggest that the advancement of online poker is still a challenging task.

The bill’s summary reads:

Allows certain interactive poker games that are considered to be 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.