Hopes were raised in the U.S. online poker community earlier this week when it was reported the New York Senate included a provision in its budget proposal that would legalize online poker in the Empire State. And now, a recent article by Gambling Compliance has raised hopes even higher. According to Gambling Compliance (paywall), the Chairman of the New York Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, Gary Pretlow, is ready to tackle the issue, telling the industry trade publication he wanted to make sure the state’s land-based casinos were on board with such a proposal. “I don’t want to throw any…

New York will have another crack at online poker. Legislation that would regulate online poker sites in the Empire State was re-introduced this week. The measure was considered last year but didn’t gain any traction in Albany. The bill is from Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who is pushing legislation along with Sen. Bonacic, who has yet to re-introduce his proposal. Both are at the helm of gaming and racing committees. The latter’s poker bill was up for public discussion in the fall, although a vote wasn’t held. New York held the hearing in early September on whether to regulate online poker…

If New York opens the door to legalized online poker, there will be no shortage of gambling interests trying to get a piece of the action. Representatives from Caesars, MGM Resorts International and the state’s racetrack casinos were among those who testified Wednesday at a state Senate hearing on the future of Internet poker in New York, where it’s currently illegal. At various points, the individual gambling interests made the case — some subtly, others directly — that they’d be best-suited to hold an online-poker license should the game be legalized in the state, a step that’s far from certain….

A group of US senate Democrats wants representatives of the state of New York to fight attempts to restore the 1961 Wire Act, reports the New York Daily News. According to a letter sent to the New York delegation, the restoration of the American Wire Act bill – known as RAWA – vetoes the state’s ability “to determine for itself what forms of gambling are authorised within the state, a right which New York and every other state has historically exercised.” The New York state lottery currently offers gambling via the internet but an online poker bill is being proposed…

New York State Senator John Bonacic (R-42) has introduced a bill that would bring regulated online poker to the Empire State. Full text of the bill (S 5302) is available here. You can track the bill’s progress here. This marks the second consecutive year that Bonacic has introduced online poker legislation. HIs attempt in 2014 – matched by companion legislation in the Assembly –  failed to move beyond committee. The bill is largely similar to the one introduced by Bonacic in 2014. One key difference: this version lacks a so-called “bad actor clause” that would preclude companies, individuals or assets involved in…

Star Gazette – That hopeful moment in a bingo game when you are just one number away from winning is called the waiting. Rosa Pipher, of Endicott, was waiting on G-50. The number glowed on the video monitor at the Endicott Elks Lodge 1977 weekly Monday night game. She was just three syllables away from calling out bingo and collecting her winnings. “Bingo!” a woman’s voice calls out behind Pipher, apparently winning on the number before G-50. Pipher is not the only one to groan among the dozens of players, their bingo cards taped together for maximum ink-stamping efficiency. “Bingo…