Online poker battle resumes in California
New bill resembles failed legislation from 2016 with new language around suitability
A bill seeking to legalize online poker has surfaced in California, marking the tenth straight year that an online poker bill has been filed.
The bill, AB1677, would allow approved tribes and card rooms to offer online poker to over 21’s in California.
The new legislation contains many of the same features as last year’s bill which was ultimately held up over suitability issues and whether PokerStars would be eligible to return to the market.
The new bill skirts this issue and gives the regulator the power to decide on eligibility – the solution PokerStars called for last year.
The bill also calls for a $12.5m upfront fee for a seven-year licence, although this payment is credited against future taxes owed on gross gaming revenue.
Taxes would be set on a progressive scale, starting at around 9% if GGR is under $150m, and rising to 15% if GGR tops $350m.
The horseracing industry would also be paid off to not participate in the market, with a payment of $57m a year.
AB 1677, comes from Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, who spearheaded a failed poker effort in 2015.