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It may not be legal yet but on Monday May 7, 2012, Bwin.Party announced an official partnership with California tribe, the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) to offer online poker services in that state once legislation is passed.
Bwin.Party is attempting to gain a foothold in the US market. Until recently, only Playtech appeared to be a strong player in California, which represents the 8th largest economy in the world.
UAIC operates the Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, California.
Commenting on today's announcement, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the Co-CEOs of bwin.party, said:
"California is the largest state in the U.S. in terms of population and is known to have a significant number of poker players who like to play poker online. Combining our own significant assets and resources with those of UAIC will create a strong partnership that is well-placed to seize the opportunities that will arise if appropriate online poker legislation is enacted in the Golden State."
David Keyser, Tribal Chairman of UAIC commented:
"We see the legalization of Internet poker and other Internet gaming as being inevitable. Having met with representatives from a number of different online gaming companies, bwin.party was our first choice as partner. With its unrivalled expertise in online poker, proven technology and player loyalty we are confident of being able to maximize the revenue opportunity from a regulated online poker market in California and to continue to enhance the long-term prosperity of our community."
On 24 February 2012, Senators Wright and Steinberg introduced legislation to regulate online gaming within California. The Internet Gambling Consumer Protection and Public-Private Partnership Act of 2012 (SB 1463) proposes, inter alia, to regulate license and tax internet poker within the state of California. The current proposed rate of tax is 10% of gross gaming revenue.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
