California Online Poker Efforts Likely Dead For 2013However, 'Anything Is Possible' Says Source Close To Bills |
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Another year is set to go by without California legalizing online poker. The legislative session in the Golden State ends in about a month, and the odds are stacked against the issue.
Though, a person close to the legislative efforts told Card Player on Wednesday that “anything is possible.” Like always, a one-outer could be hit on the river.
If there is no movement on either SB 51 or SB 678 before the mid-September deadline, it is extremely unlikely the issue would be called up in a special session before the end of the year. In other words, California online poker would be forced into 2014.
Some in the state have been pushing for years to legalize real-money gaming on the web.
According to the person close to the bills, there was no action in 2013 because of the same old disagreements. Tribal gaming groups just can’t come to any consensus on who should be allowed to be licensed to participate in a California market.
Many especially don’t want out-of-state commercial firms to come in and take the profits. The state has more than 37 million people, more than any other in the country.
Back in May, David Quintana, a lobbyist for several tribes working on a new piece of legislation, told Card Player that the odds were about 50-50 of something passing in 2013.
There does seem to be one positive change to the sentiment floating around the legislative halls in California with regards to online poker. Some in the state may be more open to the idea of California partnering with another jurisdiction to create even larger player pools for the games, according to the source. Last year, Card Player was told that it was likely that the state would go stag to the web poker dance, if it ever legalizes the activity.
While California is bogged down by what has become a perennial debate, Nevada has kicked off its intrastate industry. Ultimate Poker launched there this spring. New Jersey also legalized online gambling earlier this year and plans to see its first real-money games this fall.
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