California Dreaming: Internet Poker Bill Dead in the Water
Sen. Rod Wright yanked his Internet poker bill from a committee agenda just prior to its scheduled vote on Tuesday in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.
That bill has been sinking since it set sail requiring numerous amendments in an effort to please the state’s powerful Tribal casinos.
From the Sacramento Bee:
Despite months of talks and some recent amendments, the legislation faced opposition from major gambling tribes and card rooms, including many that support the idea of legalizing online poker but oppose the specifics in the Inglewood Democrat's bill. The critics say the current version of the bill gives too much power to horse racing and Las Vegas and international gambling interests, while shutting out some California tribes.
Wright spokeswoman Jennifer Hanson said the senator "can't say for certain this bill is still going to move.”
While more amendments are possible, California still has one of the biggest uphill battles of any state and might want to consider a future compact with – say – Nevada or New Jersey. Some food for thought.
The Garden State had its own setback last week when bill sponsor Ray Lesniak announced his legislation to legalize online poker in the state won’t be voted on until the fall.
That said, he has the support of most politicians in the state and Governor Chris Christie appears to be on board, especially after announcing last month he would defy a federal ban on sports wagering.
New Jersey has only a small degree of opposition from the horse racing industry…not enough to stifle the bill. Lesniak has also vowed to appease horse racing interests.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
