New York degenerates, your time may finally be coming. Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. just dropped Senate Bill 2614, and if it passes, you'll be able to play blackjack and slots from your couch without driving to Atlantic City or sneaking onto offshore sites.

Is this the year? Maybe. There's actual momentum this time.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: NY Senator introduces iGaming bill with $2M licenses, 30.5% tax
• The damage: Online casinos, slots, poker tournaments, live dealer games would all be legal
• Why you should care: NY is the biggest untapped iGaming market in America
• The move: Watch Albany through spring—this has a better shot than previous attempts

What's in the Bill

Senate Bill 2614 would legalize online casino games and iLottery sales in New York. Here's what you'd get:

Games allowed: Table games, slot machines with spinning reels, poker tournaments, and live dealer games. The full casino experience, right on your phone.

Who can offer it: Commercial casinos, video lottery terminal facilities, tribal casinos operating under compact, and existing NY online sports betting operators.

The tax rate: 30.5% on gross gaming revenue. That's significantly lower than New York's 51% tax on sports betting (which is insane), but higher than most other iGaming states.

License fees: $2 million for each iGaming license, $10 million for independent platform providers using their own brand.

Why 2026 Might Be Different

Addabbo has been pushing this for four years straight. So why might it work this time?

The downstate casino issue is finally settled. Last month, New York awarded licenses to Bally's Bronx, Resorts World New York City, and Metropolitan Park (the Hard Rock/Steve Cohen project). Governor Kathy Hochul previously said she wouldn't sign off on iGaming until the casino situation was resolved.

Well, it's resolved now.

The state also passed legislation banning sweepstakes casinos, which were essentially unregulated online gambling platforms operating in a legal gray area. With sweepstakes out, there's now a clear regulatory path for legitimate iGaming.

The Opposition

The biggest obstacle isn't politicians—it's labor unions. The Hotel and Trades Council has fought iGaming because they're worried it will cannibalize brick-and-mortar casino jobs across the state.

Addabbo's bill includes provisions earmarking at least $25 million annually for employee training, responsible gaming education, health initiatives, and workforce development. It's an olive branch to labor, but whether it's enough remains to be seen.

Assembly Member Carrie Woerner has introduced a companion bill (A05922) in the lower chamber, which means both houses will be considering iGaming simultaneously.

What This Means for NY Degenerates

If this passes, New York becomes the eighth state with legal iGaming. You'd be able to play online blackjack, slots, poker, and live dealer games from anywhere in the state.

The 30.5% tax rate is high but workable. Operators would still make money, players would still get decent games, and the state would generate significant revenue.

New York already has one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. Adding iGaming would make it a gambling powerhouse—and give residents legal options instead of driving to New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

The Bottom Line

This is Addabbo's fourth consecutive year pushing iGaming. The downstate casino licenses are settled. Sweepstakes casinos are banned. The regulatory framework is cleaner than it's ever been.

Will 2026 be the year? Labor unions are still a hurdle, and Albany moves slow. But if you're a New York degen who's tired of crossing state lines for your casino fix, this is the best chance yet.

Keep an eye on Albany. Your couch might become your new favorite casino before the year is out.