The Dream is Dead (For Now): New York Online Poker and Casino Bill Stalls Ahead of Deadline

The New York Online Poker Roadblock

The 2025 push for bringing iGaming into the legal fold was originally spearheaded by Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D), the chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, who has been a relentless advocate for iGaming expansion. However, Addabbo recently admitted that without the backing from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), pushing the legislation across the finish line is a futile effort:

While Sen. Addabbo has introduced online casino legislation in several consecutive sessions, none of the proposals have managed to clear both houses of the State Legislature.

The primary hurdle remains Gov. Hochul’s stance on iGaming expansion. While Addabbo, who was instrumental in launching New York’s highly successful online sports betting market in 2021, argues that iGaming would generate massive, much-needed tax revenue for the state, Hochul has remained laser-focused on responsible gaming measures. In January, the governor doubled down on this stance, heavily backing new protocols designed to protect minors and enforce stricter gambling protections across the board.

Addabbo has tried to align his bill with these protective measures, specifically pointing to the state’s recent crackdown on unregulated sweepstakes operators:

What Was on the Table: S2614 and Shared Liquidity

Had Addabbo’s Senate Bill S2614 succeeded, it would have fundamentally altered the online poker landscape in the US.

Under his proposed legislation, New York would have authorized online casino gaming and poker by granting expanded licenses to New York’s nine existing sports betting operators. Additionally, the state’s four upstate casinos and the three newly awarded downstate casinos would have been eligible to launch online platforms.

The recent failure of S2614 is a massive blow to the poker community With a population of roughly 20 million residents, a regulated New York market could have eventually joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Bringing in New York’s liquidity into the compact alongside states like New Jersey, Michigan, and Nevada would have created the largest and most lucrative regulated online poker network in US history.

Looking Ahead

Despite the legislative setback in Albany, local gaming operators aren’t giving up hope. Many industry insiders view New York iGaming not as a matter of if, but when.

Meanwhile, the broader US iGaming landscape continues to experience some more growing pains. While New York is at a standstill, Maine became the latest state to legalize online gaming in January. However, that victory was short-lived, as the state is now facing a lawsuit attempting to block the new law from going into effect. For now, New York poker players will have to keep waiting to legally hit the digital felt.