Colorado Latest State to Draft Online Poker Bill
The Colorado Gaming Association has said it drafted a bill that would legalize online poker in the state.
Executive director Lois Rice told Card Player Magazine on Tuesday that the measure would be introduced during the next legislative session in 2013.
Online gaming “will be an issue in Colorado” next year, Rice told Card Player.
The Colorado bill is modeled after one that is currently passing through the legislative process in the state of New Jersey, leading some to believe the two states could eventually form a compact.
Card Player noted that Colorado’s 40 commercial casinos bring in approximately $750 million in revenue annually.
By itself, the state could sustain a viable online poker industry with just over 5 million residents, however, a compact with New Jersey would boost that number to around 14 million.
Yesterday, Gambling911.com reported on how Delaware was already considering similar legislation with the states of Rhode Island and West Virginia.
Observers are starting to see a potential trend whereby neighboring states might be less inclined to form compacts, fearing the loss of a competitive edge.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
