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Sources close to Gambling911.com have reported that legislators in California are so intent on legalizing online poker in that troubled state they are looking to attend an upcoming i-Gaming conference where they plan to meet with prospective card room operators.
The one site they won't touch according to our source is PartyGaming.
"Too much baggage," she said. "California is not going to have an online poker room licensed in the state where one of the founders pleaded guilty before he was even charged with a crime."
The source referred to Anurag Dikshit, PartyGaming's billionaire co-founder, who will also be paying the U.S. Government a $300 million fine.
"888 (.com) is one that's been mentioned," our source stated. "They are looking at companies that are publicly traded and 888.com fits the bill. They are also trying to settle any issues with the U.S. government in relation to their taking bets from U.S. customers prior to passage of poker prohibition in 2006, much like Party, but nobody there is turning themselves in."
There is an irony in 888.com being singled out as a possible partner for California in its effort to legalize online poker. The European Union this week threatened to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, claiming the United States is making a concerted effort to keep out Europe's Internet gambling firms. 888.com is based in Gibraltar.
California is the 8th largest economy in the world and it's coming apart at the seams.
With the second highest foreclosure rate in the country and near double-digit unemployment, California's economy has been on the verge of collapse.
This week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reached a compromise with legislators to close a $42 million deficit by increasing taxes and cutting services.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
