Key Senator's Retirement Could Stall Online Poker Efforts in New York

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Key Senator's Retirement Could Stall Online Poker Efforts in New York

Sen. John Bonacic has announced that he won’t seek re-election this fall, ending his tenure of two decades in the New York Senate and now Eric Ramsey of Online Poker Report expressed concerns that his exit could hurt efforts to legalize online poker in the Empire StateSCROLL DOWN FOR MORE


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Online Poker Report writes:

Bonacic, 75, has as much influence over NY gambling as anyone in the legislature. As the chair of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, he is the primary gatekeeper for related legislation in the Senate.

Most notably, he was instrumental in the upstate casino expansion package that passed in 2013. Although the Assembly bill was the one that became law, Bonacic moved a matching effort forward in his chamber. He remained in office long enough to see all four of those properties open their doors, including one in his own district.

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow is his equivalent in the lower chamber but has only recently warmed to legalized online poker.  SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

Bonacic was also instrumental in getting a state daily fantasy sports bill that passed in 2016.

Bonacic issued this statement regarding his decision not to seek re-election:

The twenty years I have spent in the Senate have been rewarding both personally and professionally, despite the frustrations that all of us experience in any career.

Twenty years, though, is enough, and I look forward to spending quality time with my bride, Pat, and my children and grandchildren.

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