Despite its popularity, online poker is still only legal in six states across the US. Currently, this includes Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
For many New Yorkers, this poses a frustrating limitation, given that the state is home to some of the most avid bettors. For instance, our previous post from earlier this year on New York sports betting notes that the Big Apple ranks third in terms of spending across the country. This means that New Yorkers spend up to 78% more than the national average.
That said, the appeal of the online poker sector has not been lost on local legislators. As such, there is still a chance that key movements may be rolled out within the year that could see New York finally legalize poker in the state.
A look at the nationwide state of online poker
Although online poker is legal in a few states, there are an estimated 60 million active players across the American population. This popularity is largely thanks to the sector’s continued adoption of tech innovations that make the experience more pleasant and accessible. Among the most timely of these is the widespread use of cryptocurrencies. These virtual and speculative currencies have even been noted in market analyses as among the key growth drivers in US iGaming, which includes poker.
In the US online poker scene, leading tokens are now openly used for faster withdrawals and safer deposits. On the country’s leading online poker site, Americas Cardroom, cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, are part of their secure banking methods that allow players to take advantage of the platform’s 24/7 access to huge tourneys. Cryptos are decentralized, so timely and cost-efficient bankroll transactions are more widespread.
Additionally, thanks to the emergence of mobile poker apps, more Americans are able to enjoy online poker virtually anywhere. Available from platforms like PokerStars and the aforementioned ACR Poker, these mobile apps are compatible with most devices and can usually be downloaded for free. Approximately 98% of people in the US already own a smartphone, so this naturally increases the potential player pool that mobile poker apps can tap into.
What legalizing online poker means for New York
Early this year, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo reintroduced a House bill to legalize iGaming and iLottery in the state. During his career, Addabbo has also been known for supporting the push to legalize sports betting in the state. Should Senate Bill S2614 be passed, this would also allow licensed online poker sites to operate in New York. This is the senator’s third attempt to have this bill passed, with the last one in 2024 failing at the committee level. With deliberations for this year yet to commence, there is a chance that online poker will finally be legal in New York.
Of course, for such an outcome to happen, it would help to have a more solid campaign. This type of approach helped push for a broader sports betting legalization, which until a few years ago was also limited to a small number of states. For example, Missouri’s campaign to legalize sports betting was largely funded by major operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings. Investing over $30 million, these sports betting heavyweights were able to finance more effective measures that ensured the voters understood their message and supported their goals.
If online poker becomes legal in New York, the state will benefit from the tax revenue this can bring. Reports estimate that it could bring in another $1 billion a year, much like the iGaming industries in neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This money would go to state initiatives, like educational programs. The proposed bill will impose a 30% tax burden on operators, so the actual revenue for New York could be even bigger once other providers are allowed to operate in the area. For now, though, online poker fans have to wait and see if Addabbo’s latest bet on legalizing poker will finally end on a positive note.
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