Could the east coast be the next home of US online poker? The growing consensus is that after California authorizes internet gambling in 2015, east coast states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts might follow. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware all witnessed rapid industry growth after they legalized web poker, so it is only a matter of time until other states follow suit.
Here is where the east coast states stand now:
Pennsylvania: The most likely to adapt online poker in 2015, Pennsylvania has already held multiple legislative hearings to deal with online gaming bills. Many casino representatives at the hearings were cautiously supportive and several legislators have expressed their willingness to support such bills. In the meantime, Parx Casino has partnered with GameAccount Network and Joingo to create free mobile online gaming sites that could easily be converted to real money sites in the future.
New York: MGM has made a big play in the future of online gambling in New York, lobbying in Albany to support two bills introduced this year to support web poker legalization. But those two bills fell short in this year’s legislative session. Only time will tell if public initiatives, like the recent “Let NY Play,” will amass enough support to convince the legislature to change their mind in the 2015 or 2016.
Massachusetts: State Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate, Steve Grossman, has publicly expressed interest in online gambling legislation and has been an advocate for online gaming for the last two years. If Grossman wins the governorship, Massachusetts could find itself passing online poker legislation in 2015. But supporters still need to contend with a ballot referendum that seeks to repeal the 2011 law that allowed for brick-and-mortar casino expansion. If that gets repealed, legalization of online gambling sites will likely be put on hold until the political tides turn a