Tribes Opposed to Some Language in California Internet Poker Bill

A bill to legalize Internet poker in the state of California is meeting some resistance from state tribes.

Last month, the California Tribal Business Alliance issued the following statement: 

“The legislation as described would also let out-of-state interests come in to essentially extract revenue from California with no real constraints other than that they ‘partner’ with a legal entity,” said Leslie Lohse, Chairwoman of the CTBA.

Lohse referred to the bill as an “inferior legislative product” and a “harsh slap in the face” to California tribes.

“You can’t make everyone happy. It’s impossible,” a source told CardPlayer.com. “Lawmakers are concerned with what is beneficial to the state, not just to the tribes, card rooms or race tracks.”

The bill to legalize online poker in the state is aptly titled The Internet Gambling Consumer Protection and Public-Private Partnership Act of 2012.  It was introduced by California Senators Roderick Wright and Darrell Steinberg

Gov. Jerry Brown remains skeptical on the issue and its potential help to the budget deficit.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com