California Online Poker Bill Progress Continues

Slowly but steadily, legal, regulated intrastate poker in California is getting closer to becoming a reality.  Assembly Bill 2026, written by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills) was passed in a 6-1 vote by the state’s Senate Governmental Organization Committee last week.  It now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

AB 2026 promotes a study by the state of California to evaluate the feasibility of legalization and regulation of internet poker within the state.  Levine feels that legalization and regulation would both protect the players and allow state law enforcement agencies to work with the online poker rooms to prevent underage gambling, fraud, and identity theft.   

The state Attorney General’s Office, under the Bureau of Gaming Control will draft model regulations for everyone to look at and the Legislative Analysts Office will address the tax and revenue issues.  Levine said that nothing will be enacted this year, as all parties need time to work everything out.  He said it would come back to the legislature in a “year or two.”