New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow says he was eight Democrats away from getting the online poker bill put to a vote last week at the end of the state’s legislative session.

While admitting that “we didn’t really look at it” in the final weeks as New York online poker took a back seat to a more urgent sports betting bill that also didn’t pass, Pretlow attested that he had a commitment from 68 Democrats that they would support A 5250.

Officially, the bill finished with 51 Assembly members signed on as supporters, including 47 Democrats and four Republicans.

Another assertion from Pretlow, who chairs the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, is that A 5250 had the votes to easily pass due to bipartisan support if it were put on the floor, but that support from the minority party is of no help to get a bill up for vote.

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