Card Rooms, PokerStars, Tribal Group Respond To Shelving Of California Web Poker In 2014Bills Have Been Put On Hold Until Next Year |
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The coalition representing the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, California’s three largest card clubs—the Commerce Club, the Hawaiian Gardens Casino and the Bicycle Casino—and PokerStars responded to the news that California online poker legislation has been shelved for this year.
The bills were introduced this past winter, but never gained any steam.
“We have been working on this issue for five years now and while we were optimistic that a suitable bill would move forward in 2014, we’re in this for the long haul and we’d rather do it right than have a bad bill,” Morongo Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman Robert Martin said in a statement, speaking on behalf of the coalition.
“Clearly the issues surrounding the latest bills that sought to unconstitutionally limit competition, place prohibitions on race tracks, and rewrite longstanding, successful state policy regarding California’s oversight of gaming proved insurmountable for this session," Martin said. "We will continue to work with our partners, legislators, state regulators and other California tribes on developing future iPoker legislation that meets constitutional tests and provides much needed consumer protections to California’s two million online poker players.”
Speaking on behalf of the three card clubs, attorney Keith Sharp said:
“Any legislation authorizing Internet poker should ensure that we create the most successful market possible that provides consumers access to the trusted brands they want in a strongly regulated environment. We want to thank Senator Correa, Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer and all of the legislators and stakeholders who have put in the time and effort to get us to this point. We remain committed to continued discussions in the interim and next session."
The card clubs, PokerStars and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians earlier this year joined together in a formal agreement to work jointly to promote legislation.
The opposing side, which includes 13 tribes, wants the so-called “bad actor” clause included in the legislation, which would not let PokerStars be involved, at least not right away.
Back in 2011, PokerStars’ personnel was indicted by the federal government on a slew of charges. The company itself eventually settled without admitting any wrongdoing.
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