An update on California online poker

[The Buzz]

Those who went to GIGSE might remember California state senator Roderick Wright, who is a big proponent of legalizing online poker in the state.

Last Friday he made a move to amend Senate Bill 1485, which would authorize the state's Department of Justice to award contracts for intrastate online poker Web sites.

Casino City has a press release about the move:

LOS ANGELES, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Following months of legislative debate on Internet poker, California state Sen. Roderick Wright, D-Inglewood, moved last Friday to amend Senate Bill 1485 which would authorize the state's Department of Justice to award contracts for intrastate online poker websites.

A coalition of California tribal governments and card rooms lead by the Commerce Casino, Hollywood Park Casino, Hawaiian Gardens Casino, Bicycle Casino and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians issued a statement calling for regulation and taxation of online poker.

"With the introduction of SB 1485, California is one step closer to allowing the establishment of legal intrastate online poker Web sites that will offer consumer protections and provide desperately needed revenue for the state.

Millions of Californians are already playing poker online using illegal offshore Web sites at great risk to their privacy and possible identity theft. Online poker needs to be brought out of the shadows in an open and transparent system so that players can be confident their personal information and winnings are secure, and the state can recoup the millions in revenue that are being lost to offshore interests every day."

The coalition stated it would be reviewing the bill carefully and offering its expertise on gaming issues with an eye toward getting comprehensive legislation passed this year and said it would be working with the Legislature "to ensure that California consumers are protected and California receives the revenue it deserves".

The newly proposed bill would award up to three contracts to California-based operators to run intrastate online poker websites for registered players in California for a period of five years. It also makes it illegal for any person in California to play an Internet gambling game that is not authorized by the state.

Wright's proposed bill will require legislative analysis and a second hearing by the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.

[Miss B]

This would be a large source of funds for California's failing economy. If the state wants to get back on its feet, passing the proposed gambling legislation would be a step in the right direction.

[Timeline]

Unfortunately, by the time they get through all the red tape, it will probably be too far gone to bail out.

Maybe they should just take what little dough they have right now and put it on Black!!..

[pokerseeker]

In the proposed bill, it would create the Internet Gambling Fund and would require the hub operator to send at least 20% of its gross revenues to the state on a monthly basis.

This is good news for all Californians. In this economy, I think that it is a good idea to have California based "hub" operators run the websites. There are lots of foreign interests watching this very carefully wanting in.

[dhayman]

Isn't it amazing that when money is desperately needed, the government abandons its moralistic approach, in favor of the making money ?? This may be good news, but will be highly restrictive, and will make gambling outside of CA (for CA residents) a felony. This law, in its current form, is not all peaches and cream, and is certainly not affiliate friendly. Stay tuned.