It’s Do or Die in California Online Poker Push With Hearing Scheduled Wednesday
33 experts were scheduled to testify Wednesday (April 23, 2014) regarding the viability of legalized online poker in California.
Matthew Kredell of PokerNews.com called it “the most inclusive and thorough of any such meeting ever held at the state or federal level.”
Special interest groups have been trying to legalize online poker in the Golden State for a number of years now with little success. In January one of the key sponsors of the Web poker legislation was indicted for perjury and voter fraud.
Proponents for real money poker in the world’s 8th biggest economy have not been able to meet eye-to-eye with the state’s powerful Tribal casino operatives.
Wednesday’s hearing offers the Tribes something they haven’t had much of to date: Inclusion.
Chairmen of seven tribes — including Mark Macarro of Pechanga, Lynn Valbueno of San Manuel and Robert Martin of Morongo — will cover how Internet poker could affect current Tribal gaming operations, Kredell reports.
One of the so-called experts set to testify is none other than Las Vegas magnate and Sands of Las Vegas CEO Sheldon Adelson right hand man Andy Abboud. The GOP mega donor has lodged a campaign to quash regulated online gambling in the US. He has referred to the activity as “toxic” and a “cancer to society” all the while admitting such easy access to placing wagers over the Internet could ultimately undermine his casino empire.
"The Future Public Policy and Fiscal Implications of Authorizing iPoker Gaming in California" will be televised live streaming here at 1:30 pm Pacific Time or 4:30 pm Eastern Standard. Be mindful that this is the California legislature so don’t expect a prompt start.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
