In a time where the radicals are trying to get a bill passed in congress to make all online gambling illegal, New York’s senate has decided to introduce a new bill in order to legalize and regulate online poker within its state. The bill was introduced by State Senator John Bonacic and poker players in the “Big Apple” are crossing their fingers to have it passed.

The bill has been delivered to the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, where Bonacic is the chairman. They will be the ones that will look through and see if it is possible to legalize and regulate online poker in New York and if so, how to do it.

OnlinePokerReport.com talked to John Pappas, who is the Executive Director of Poker Player’s Alliance, who said that regulating poker in the state has been a topic in the board since last year at least. Pappas said to OnlinePokerReport.com:

“Last year I met with legislative leaders in New York and they expressed a deep interest in regulating online poker,” and added; “The state leaders are looking around, and they do not want to be left behind.”

Pappas also talked about a possible connection between the new online poker bill and the states plan to expand land-based gambling in the state, saying: “an uncertain timetable for brick and mortar casinos in New York, regulated Internet poker could be a more immediate boost for gaming companies to get a foothold in the market and for the state to raise some revenue.”

Source: OnlinePokerReport