An Orange County lawmaker has introduced legislation that, if passed, would legalize certain legalize internet poker, but only types of online poker games that are deemed to be contests of skill rather than luck. Currently, online poker is considered a game of luck and is illegal in New York state. The bill seeks to “amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law and the penal law, in relation to allowing certain interactive poker games.”

According to the language of the bill, New York would authorize 10 online poker licenses. The licenses would come with a $10 million price tag and expire after 10 years. Any company receiving a license would then have to pay a tax rate of 15 percent of gross gaming revenue.

The legislation reads, “The courts have found that where a contest pits the skill levels of the players against each other, those games are games of skills and not games of chance.”

The bill (S.6913) currently sits in the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, which Sen. John Bonacic, the sponsor of the legislation, chairs. Read more about efforts to legalize internet poker at the Legislative Gazette.