Online poker on hold in California

The SB 1366 bill to legalize online poker in the US State of California has been withdrawn ealier this month by State Senator Lou Correa, ending hopes to see online poker regulated in California this year.

“Internet poker is an important public Policy. We need to make sure it is done right”, said Lou Correa to the LA Times. A statement issued by a powerful coalition of 13 tribes with online gambling interests in the State has followed this announcement. “Our tribal governments have been deliberate and methodical in developing proposed legislation that would strictly regulate and limit Internet poker in California. Instilling public confidence in the integrity of State-sanctioned Internet poker is a fundamental principle of ours. To that end and in consultation with the bill authors, our tribal leaders have concluded that rushing a bill in the closing days of this legislative session will not allow for the level of careful public examination and confidence an issue of the magnitude requires. We look forward to continuing the work with legislators, regulators and stakeholders on a bill that can be brought before the legislature in 2015”, read the statement. A second pending bill to legalize online poker in California introduces earlier this year by Assemblyman Reginald Jones Sawyer Sr. has also stalled in the committee stage.

According to PokerNews, a new online poker bill should be introduced in December. A couple of issues including the role of California’s tracks in a regulated poker industry, the scope of tribal inclusion and matters regarding taxation and other revenue-related.

Source: OnlinePokerReport