California Web Poker Likely To Hit Muck Again

California, perhaps the only state capable of sustaining an intrastate industry, has been trying to legalize online poker since 2007, and it looks like 2012 will be another failed attempt.

California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and co-sponsor of the this year’s Internet poker bill (SB 1463) said efforts aren’t likely to go anywhere in time for the legislative deadline of Aug. 31, The Sacramento Bee reported Wednesday.

The bill was introduced by Steinberg and his colleague, Sen. Rod Wright, in late February. Since then, it has seen very little activity. It hasn’t even had a hearing. A committee hearing was scheduled for June 12, but it was canceled at the request of Wright.

Perhaps the most vocal critic of recent attempts has been The California Tribal Business Alliance. However, it’s welcome to the idea of online gaming, according to The Bee. Some tribes in the state are behind the current bill, as long as it’s amended to protect California from out-of-state interests. The California Online Poker Association, which includes 29 tribes and 31 card rooms, said in a Wednesday press release that it doesn’t want a bill to be delayed again.

Opposition comes for a myriad of reasons, with another major argument being that not everyone would be able to snag a license. A one-time fee of $30 million would be required, which would be credited toward the monthly 10-percent tax on gross web-poker revenue.

While many oppose, some supporters have already made business arrangements just in case something comes to fruition. In early May, U.K.-based Bwin.party Digital Entertainment, which runs PartyPoker, agreed to partner with California’s United Auburn Indian Community.

California’s approaching deadline also comes not long after Nevada bookmaker Cantor Gaming and Horse Racing United, a coalition of the state’s horse racing businesses, made a deal. It was announced that Cantor would provide the group with technology for an intrastate online poker site. Cantor also has intentions for Nevada Internet poker.

Here’s a look at how the Golden State is split on SB 1463 (as of June 8):
Note: Information provided by the state legislature.

With a population of 37.7 million people, California is an attractive partner for the Silver State, which could kick of its own intrastate industry as soon as this fall. However, a source close to California’s bill told Card Player in April that the state would likely go it alone, at least for the time being, if it could legalize the activity.

For now, though, it’s all about trying to compromise in the Golden State.

Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus

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