What's happening
This bill allows licensed establishments to host recreational games of skill involving some chance, like cards or dominoes, with wagering permitted among participants, but prohibits the business or its employees from profiting or participating.
Why it matters
Expands social opportunities and inclusivity. By permitting games like penny poker or cribbage in licensed establishments, the bill encourages social interaction—especially for groups like senior citizens—potentially reducing isolation and promoting community engagement.
Stimulates local business without enabling gambling profiteering. Establishments can attract more patrons and create a lively atmosphere, but since they cannot profit from the games or wagers, the risk of commercialized gambling operations is minimized.
Clarifies legal boundaries for recreational gaming. The bill creates a clear legal distinction between recreational games of skill (with some chance) for fun and unlawful gambling, reducing confusion for both business owners and patrons.
Maintains state control over gambling expansion. By explicitly stating that this does not override the governor’s authority to prohibit gambling or change broader gambling laws, the bill preserves the state’s ability to regulate or restrict gambling activities in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Bar Card Games
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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 Games in Bars
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
704
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02738-01-9
S. 704 2
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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
To allow individuals to engage in recreational games such as playing cards or penny poker in establishments with licenses to sell alcohol and to permit friendly wagers between participants only as such is author- ized by the licensed establishment.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Legislative Intent: Allowing recreational games such as play- ing cards, penny poker, cribbage, and dominoes to be permitted in estab- lishments licensed by the state liquor authority to serve alcoholic beverages will offer mutual benefits for the consumer and the establish- ment.
Section 2 amends the alcoholic beverage control law by adding a new section, which allows for recreational contests involving skill to take place in establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.
Section 3 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Currently, establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages are prohibited from allowing customers to participate in recreational contests of skill such as cards, penny poker, cribbage, and dominoes. This bill would permit such establishments to allow customers to partic- ipate in these recreational contests.
Additionally, this bill would offer customers such as senior citizens the option to play cards while taking advantage of the amenities offered at an establishment such as a local tavern or pub. Affording the option to participate in these recreational games would be a win-win for both customers and businesses.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.2518/A.9962 Advanced to 3rd Reading/Referred to Racing and Wagering 2015-16: S.7068 Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.