PokerStars Responds To Proposed Amendments To California Online Poker EffortsOnline Firm, Along With Partner And Card Rooms, Oppose 'Bad Actor' Clause |
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After an historic consensus between 13 California tribal groups on online poker in the Golden State, PokerStars and its partner, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, as well as the Commerce Club, Hawaiian Gardens Casino and the Bicycle Casino, have responded.
The latter group is opposed to what has been proposed by the 13 tribal groups. Currently two Internet poker bills sit in the legislature.
“We strongly oppose the so-called ‘bad actor’ language that is nothing other than a blatant attempt to provide certain interests with an unfair competitive advantage by arbitrarily locking out trusted iPoker brands,” PokerStars et al wrote. "We will vigorously oppose any legislation that includes this language.
“These provisions in the Tribal coalition’s proposed amendments that are solely intended to lock out certain providers violate both the U.S. and California constitutions. The tribal coalition amendments would exclude from participation, for purely anti-competitive reasons, companies that have never admitted or been convicted of wrongdoing[…]”
PokerStars was once under federal crosshairs, before eventually settling its case without admitting to any wrongdoing. The firm paid a massive $731 million settlement.
PokerStars tried to regain entry into the U.S. via regulated environments in Nevada and New Jersey, but both states haven’t licensed the world’s largest poker site.
Chances of online poker legalization in California are not only hampered by these disagreements. This year is an election year in the Golden State, and online poker is a sensitive issue.
California is America’s most populous state.
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