State SenatorJohn Bonacic(R-Mt. Hope, pictured) recently created a buzz in the online poker community when he introduced a bill that would legalize the industry in the state of New York. But almost as soon as he unveiled the legislation, Bonacic made it clear that he didn’t expect the bill to pass anytime soon.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Bonacic, who chairs the Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering, and Gaming, said he wanted to see how the state’s newly authorized brick-and-mortar casinos fared before fully jumping into online poker legalization.

“I don’t intend to push it this year,” he said. “But we need to start a discussion.”

Last November, New York voters approved a referendum that would authorize up to seven new casinos upstate, a move intended to create more jobs for local communities. License fees for operators will range from $20 million to $70 million depending on location. The Albany, Catskills, and Southern Tier areas are reported to have three potential bidders each. The state currently has five casinos, all operated by upstate Indian tribes.

On Monday, John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, was already drawing attention to the fact that there is no companion legislation in the House for Bonacic’s bill. “Getting House support will be critical and, without that, it will be a real challenge to have legislation considered this year,” he told PocketFives. “This is a great first step, but I think we are far from seeing this bill becoming law.”

While the bill’s passage may not come during this session, online poker operators like Caesars Entertainment and MGM have already stepped in and voiced their support. “New York would be an extraordinary market for this type of entertainment,” said MGM Resorts President Bill Hornbuckle (pictured) in a statement. “We are excited by the opportunity to offer online poker to New York players and will pursue it aggressively.”

Bonacic’s bill, numbered S 6913, is similar to the online gaming legislation that has already passed in three other states, but with a few key differences. Unlike Delaware and New Jersey, Bonacic’s legislation would allow for poker only and exclude casino games with a house edge. The bill would authorize 10 licenses costing $10 million apiece that would be good for 10 years.

S 6913 also includes a “bad actor” clause, which would prohibit companies who continued to take bets from New Yorkers after the end of the year in which the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed: December 31, 2006. PokerStars, which is already fighting in California to exclude any such clause, could therefore be prohibited from receiving a license.

While Bonacic’s statements took the wind out of the sails of his own bill, the introduction of the legislation will serve to put the issue on local lawmakers’ radar. “Last year, I met with legislative leaders in New York and they expressed a deep interest in regulating online poker,” Pappas (pictured) told OnlinePokerReport. “The state leaders are looking around and they do not want to be left behind.”

Pappas also suggested that the uncertain timetable of the state’s proposed land-based casinos might lead lawmakers to consider online poker as a “more immediate boost for gaming companies to get a foothold in the market and for the state to raise some revenue.”

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