Online Poker Bill Voted for Further Discussion in California

Further discussion of online poker legislation was voted in favor for in California.

A committee vote regarding online poker sites in the US was held in California. The first ever unanimous vote on the topic had a positive outcome. Legal actions will not follow the vote but it ensured Assemblyman Adam Gray’s AB 431 ‘shell’ bill’s further discussion in the not too far future.

Gray filed amendments to the bill prior to Monday’s hearing. The content of these however remain unknown. The only thing we can know for sure is that the representatives of the Pechanga-led tribal coalition changed their status regarding the bill.

Concerns were raised by Pechanga

Mark Macarro, Pechanga chairman, said that his coalition is against allowing the state’s racetracks’ participation in the online poker market. According to the coalition this change of the US gambling laws would violate the state-tribal gaming compacts.

The California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion stated that many gambling providers have promised more than they deliver. More information on the bill will be revealed depending on the outcome of the next two hearings. Allowing the participation of racetracks and bad actors on the market are still major issues to be solved.