A New Bill to Legalize Online Poker in California Was Just Introduced

2017 could be the year online poker in California gets legalized, as a new legislation bill has just been presented.

Last week, US gambling news broke that a new online poker bill was introduced in California. This bill, called AB 1677, was presented by Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a longtime proponent of internet poker gambling. While previous California online poker legislation bills have failed in the past, many are hopeful that this is the year the popular online game becomes legalized.

What’s unique about this bill is that it takes the best aspects of the aforementioned previous bills. It will mandate that eligible online poker licenses are limited to state card rooms and tribal gaming operators. All California internet poker sites will need to pay an upfront fee of $12.5 million.

If revenue obtained from these sites is less than $150 million, they must pay a $8.8% tax rate to the state. This increases to 10% if revenue is between $150 million and $250 million, 12.5% if between $250 million and $350 million, and 15% if obtained revenue is above $350 million.

What online poker websites in California are available now?

Nearly all online poker sites in the US were shut down by the government in the early 2010’s. Not long after, the government began allowing states to decide their own laws regarding internet poker for cash, and many of these sites are now available in a number of different states.

If AB 1677 is passed, online poker in California will finally become regulated once again. For now however, the only way to play internet poker for cash is through a foreign site that will accept US players. There are a number that do, some of which rival the top poker sites in India, and offer a wide range of different poker games including Texas Hold’em and Omaha.

Do you think the new bill to legalize online poker in California will get passed? How will this affect the US online poker industry? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below!