California poker bill appears dead for 2016
Latest setbacks have stakeholders pessimistic bill will pass before 31 August deadline
California’s latest bid to legalise online poker looks to have flopped for another year after a crucial vote was delayed on Monday and key stakeholders, including PokerStars, railed against the bill.
AB 2863 was expected to be voted on Monday in the California Assembly, but staunch opposition from PokerStars, its tribal allies, and advocacy group the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) meant the bill never reached the floor, likely due to fears it would not pass.
The obstructive coalition claimed it was opposing the bill because a recent amendment “arbitrarily and unfairly bans [PokerStars] from competing in the iPoker market indefinitely”.
A statement from the coalition said: “These amendments target a single company, Amaya, with provisions that would prevent the company from ever securing a licence.
“It is our understanding amendments were presented to members as imposing a five year penalty box when in reality these provisions would effectively create a lifetime ban for Amaya.”
The amendments were first introduced to appease other gaming tribes, which said Amaya had gained an unfair competitive advantage while active in the US after the online gaming ban in 2006 and before âBlack Friday’ in 2011 when other operators had left the market.
The bill now faces a race to pass both houses of the California legislature by 31 August when the legislature adjourns, and stakeholders were pessimistic about its chances, given the tight deadline, widespread opposition and no-vote on Monday.
“Another year w/o regulated Online Poker in California,” tweeted internet poker entrepreneur Alex Dreyfus. “Players want to play, state wants to be regulated, but parties are fighting. Lose, lose.”
Eilers & Krejcick gaming consultant Chris Grove added: “Chatter in California for online poker is bleakly negative today, already-fragile process appears to be rapidly collapsing,” while industry consultant Steve Ruddock tweeted: “Short of a miracle, it’s âsee you next year’ for California online poker bill”.