State Senator John Bonacic has introduced S 6913, which restricts online action to games of skill such as poker and excludes casino games. The measure seeks a licensing fee of $10 million that would not expire for 10 years. Taxation would be set at 15%.

A bad actor provision is included, aiming to keep out those who failed to recognize the UIGEA and continued operating in the U.S. market. Should lawmakers vote in favor and Governor Andrew Cuomo approve the measure, New Yorkers could be playing in one year following the establishment of rules and a vetting process for would-be operators.

Cuomo supports land-based gaming, as did 57% of voters in a November referendum. A casino expansion plan is in the works and online poker could possibly be tacked on.

The New York state effort comes on the heels of a Sheldon Adelson-supported anti-online gambling federal proposal last Wednesday that targets the 2011 DoJ interpretation of the Wire Act that has a number of states queuing up to offer online gambling. New York has a population just shy of 20 million, third most in the nation.