Hopes of passing Cali poker bill fading fast
Sources close to bill says Senator Wright is no longer optimistic of reaching a compromise.
The chances of an online poker bill being passed in California before the state’s 31 August legislative deadline are dwindling as no progress has been made to resolve issues raised by the state’s gaming tribes, eGR North America has learned.
A source close to the matter told eGR NA that although several talks have taken place between major tribes and the state’s politicians this month, a breakthrough has not been achieved. “We don’t expect to see any resolution of all the outstanding issues before the end of the legislative session especially since major tribes are still opposed,” the source said.
Wright himself told the Press-Enterprise this week: “It doesn’t look good.”
The California Online Poker Association (COPA), a coalition of 29 tribes and 31 card rooms, recently presented a 73-page proposed set of amendments to the bill, indicating it would back the legislation should Wright agree to its terms. The proposals included requests to deny racing associations the right to be eligible licence applicants and to extend the initial licence term from five to ten years.
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association has also indicated that it would support the bill if amendments are made.
David Keyser, tribal chairman of the United Auburn Indian Community, said: “It is unlikely that there will be legislation this year because there are not enough interested parties at the table. Hopefully there will be more success in the next legislative session.
“Ultimately California needs to get legislation enacted before the federal government imposes a scheme that is not in California’s interest.”
Last week, the bill’s co-sponsor, Senator Darrell Steinberg, said of the discussions with the tribes: “I’m not going to break a pick on the issue. But I’m willing to see it through if there’s a little more consensus.”
In a recent comment piece for eGR NA, Michael Lombardi, chair of the Augustine Gaming Commission, warned that delaying the legalisation of online poker in California could see the state lose the chance to regulate egaming on its own terms if a federal bill is passed first. US Senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl are looking to introduce federal internet poker legislation this fall.
Lombardi said: “This could be California’s last chance to pass an internet poker bill before the feds intervene and usurp the long-existing right of states to decide what gambling should be legal in their respective state. The time to act is upon the members of the California legislature.”