What's happening
This bill allows licensed establishments to host recreational contests like cards or dominoes involving skill and wagering, but prohibits employees and owners from participating or profiting.
Why it matters
Legalizes certain social games in bars and pubs. The bill clarifies that games of skill like cards or dominoes—where chance and skill are involved—can be played for money in licensed establishments, reducing legal ambiguity and the risk of penalties for both players and business owners.
Strictly separates business from player profits. Owners and employees of these establishments are explicitly barred from participating in or financially benefiting from the contests, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest, exploitation, or the emergence of “house” games.
Social and economic impact. By making these recreational contests lawful, the bill could foster more social interaction (especially for groups like senior citizens) and potentially increase patronage and revenue for local businesses, without expanding full-scale gambling.
Maintains state authority over gambling. The bill preserves the governor’s power to restrict gambling activities and explicitly states that these recreational contests are not considered unlawful gambling under existing penal law, seeking to balance new freedoms with ongoing regulatory oversight.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Games in Bars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Referred to racing and wagering
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Bar Card Games
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4374
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, BLAKE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to certain recreational contests in establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premise
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that allowing recreational games such as playing cards, penny poker, cribbage and dominoes be permitted in establishments, licensed by the state liquor authority to serve alcoholic beverages, will offer mutual benefits for both the consumer and the establishment. Allowing for these activities to be conducted in establishments such as the local tavern or pub would provide a place for individuals like senior citizens to recreate. This legislation would further stimulate business within these establishments. Nevertheless, both employer and employee of such establishment would be prohibited from profiting from any such games so authorized pursuant to this legislation.
§ 2. The alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new section 132 to read as follows:
§ 132. Recreational contests involving skill in establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary any person, who holds a license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premise pursuant to this chapter, may allow players to engage in recreational contests amongst themselves involving chance so long as skill is a factor at such establishments. Wagering amongst participants is permissible. No proceeds shall go to the establishment. No employee of such establishment shall engage in such contests. Nothing in this section shall be considered unlawful for purposes of article two hundred twenty-five of the penal law nor shall it be construed to affect the existing authority of the governor under the constitution and the laws of this state to prohibit gambling.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02738-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.