California Online Poker Bill AmendedHearing Planned For April 27 In Sacramento |
|
The California online poker bill set for a hearing next week was amended Wednesday, surely in hopes of the latest version being the one to finally end years of almost zero material progress on the issue.
The only time a California online poker bill was voted on happened last April, when an earlier version of Assemblyman Adam Gray’s legislation advanced out of committee. However, the bill didn’t make any more progress the rest of the year.
This year’s legislation was introduced on Feb. 19.
According to the state’s legislative website, the following additions were made to AB 2863:
The bill would become operative when criteria are established by statute addressing involvement in Internet betting prior to the state’s authorization of Internet poker pursuant to its provisions […] The act that added this subparagraph shall not become operative until criteria are established by statute to address involvement in Internet betting prior to the state’s authorization of Internet poker pursuant to this chapter.
The language seems to indicate that the so-called “bad actor” issue will again be at the forefront of the debate. Some tribes have long opposed PokerStars, the largest poker site in the world, being a player in the space because it was once in trouble with the federal government. However, the site settled later with the feds without admitting to any wrongdoing.
However, PokerStars, which successfully launched in New Jersey last month, could be hurt by the former CEO of its parent company being charged with insider trading in Canada, a tribal gaming insider recently told Card Player. The charges could make it a “difficult hill to climb” for the brand, according to Steve Stallings, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association.
The other hurdle still remaining is whether California horse tracks should be able to offer online poker, an opportunity for the tracks that many tribal casino groups are opposed to.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
