The Golden State’s internet poker legislation, AB 2863, recently overcame a significant obstacle by securing complete backing from the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. This advancement moves California closer to potentially being the fourth US state to authorize internet wagering.
Nevertheless, the proposed law has encountered resistance. Despite the resounding 19-0 vote of approval, certain indigenous Californian groups, such as the Pechanga and Agua Caliente tribes, expressed firm disapproval. Their primary apprehension? Companies with what they deem “unsavory actor” provisions in their past should not be permitted to engage in a regulated California market.
The core of the matter stems from the fact that AB 2863 does not explicitly prohibit companies like PokerStars, which continued operating in the US market after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 took effect. These are the very entities the tribes are alluding to when they speak of a “bad actor” background.
Intriguingly, in 2014, PokerStars’ parent entity, Amaya, established a partnership with two Native American tribes and three card rooms to advocate for online poker legalization in California. Their objective was to collaborate and manage a licensed online poker platform if and when the market became legal.
Although some headway was made last year with the Assembly Governmental Organization and Appropriations committees endorsing AB 431, a comparable bill, it ultimately lost momentum. It is yet to be determined whether AB 2863 can surmount these obstacles and finally introduce lawful online poker to California.
Legislator Adam Gray, a key proponent of bill AB 2863, has put forth legislation to make internet poker permissible in California. This fresh legislation, AB 2863, represents a joint endeavor between Gray and Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, who presented a similar online poker measure, AB 167, in the previous year. In contrast to the prior year’s attempt, this year’s bill incorporates precise regulatory wording. As per the stipulations of AB 2863, the initial $60 million accrued annually would be designated for California’s equine racing sector. The bill establishes the lawful wagering age at 21. Gray remarked, “Following numerous modifications and discussions with interested parties and consumer representatives, two principal concerns were voiced by dissenters: equine racing and appropriateness. Currently, we are proposing language to tackle the equine racing apprehensions, and talks are underway concerning suitability.” The bill will now proceed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will necessitate a two-thirds majority to gain approval and advance to the Senate.
