California and Tribal Casinos Gearing up for Legalized Internet Poker
Two bills have been drafted that would legalize Internet poker in the state of California. Many believe that a regulated Web poker industry in the world’s 8th largest economy could serve as the perfect cure for California’s financial woes.
From VegasInc.com:
Sam Cohen, government affairs and legal officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Pierre Wuu, director of the California Online Poker Association, described how two bills have been introduced in California to legalize Internet poker.
Panelists said the proposals, backed by tribes and poker room operators, are riding the momentum of the state’s dire need for tax revenue.
Wuu said a law enabling intrastate poker would be a boon for the state because an estimated 2 million Californians play online poker.
While some tribes have been reluctant to support an Internet poker bill, fearing online games would hurt brick-and-mortar poker operations, polls show broad support for permitting online games.
California’s state legislature will be out of session for the remainder of the year. Lawmakers will review the draft proposals at the start of the new year.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
