On Tuesday, lawmakers in the Empire State will discuss a bill on the table that would legalize and regulate up to 10 online poker sites.

The Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee will discus the legislation that was proposed by State Sen. John Bonacic. A separate proposal was introduced into the State Assembly last week.

Bonacic’s bill had a hearing in September, but there wasn’t a vote. The other bill, put forth by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, hasn’t had a hearing in the Assembly’s gaming committee. A public discussion on it hasn’t yet been scheduled.

The New York online poker market could be worth more than $120 million in the first 12 months after launch, according to testimony at last year’s hearing.

Both proposals on the table are eyeing a tax rate of 15 percent on online poker operators, who would also have to pay $10 million for a 10-year license.

The Feb. 2 hearing, which will be live streamed from Albany, comes as neighboring Pennsylvania also considers online gaming and other states in the region are beefing up their respective gambling industries. New York awarded several licenses last fall for commercial brick-and-mortar casinos. The state already has tribal casinos and racetracks.

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