Poll results: Opinion split on California egaming timeframe
No clear consensus on whether the US state will regulate online poker in 2014
eGaming Review readers are divided as to whether 2014 is the year legislation is finally approved in California to pave the way for a regulated online gaming industry.
According to Richard Schuetz, head of the California Gambling Control Commission, the regulated online poker market could generate over $500m in its first year alone and believes vast progress is being made towards a launch.
However, only 24% of respondents to this week’s poll are confident that any new sense of urgency to regulate the market would lead to an online poker launching this year, while 29% back any legislation to be delayed due to disparate stakeholder interests.
The Golden State market is predicted to be worth over US$1bn but is currently at a crossroads after two poker-only bills, AB2291 and SB1366, were submitted to the state legislature in February.
The AB2291bill was introduced by Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyerhas and supported by a consortium of eight tribes, including the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Temecula Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, while SB1366, was authored by Senator Lou Correa.
The remainder of eGR readers were undecided, with 47% stating online gaming liberalisation could be on cards in 2014 but that there was still a good chance it could come later.