California Online Poker Bill to be Reintroduced in 2013
California Senator Roderick Wright will reintroduce his online poker bill (SB 1463) next month (January 2013) without amendments. The bill has previously come under fire from the powerful Tribal casinos.
From PokerUpdate.com:
The Dissolution of the California Online Poker Association (COPA) may make it easier this time around, as that organization of 31 card rooms and 29 Indian tribes had submitted a 75-page draft bill detailing amendments sought before the group would give their blessing to the bill's passage, eGaming Review reported. COPA disbanded in late October, citing "insufficient progress within the legislature toward the passage of an online poker bill."
Among other issues, Golden State tribes are opposed to advance deposit wagering (ADW) firms such as Betfair TVG and Churchill Downs to be allowed to apply for online poker licenses, as these companies currently have no involvement with poker.
The state of California represents the world’s 8th largest economy with a player pool sufficient enough to support several operators.
Only Nevada and Delaware have legalized intrastate online poker to date while New Jersey may pass legislation by year’s end or some time in January 2013.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
