The state of California has been the hot topic of discussion when it comes to online poker in the United States. For months now, legislators, card rooms, tribal groups and online poker operators have tried to give their input on what should take place in regards to online poker legislation. No one group can see to agree with the other and the state cannot get their act together to begin to enter into the blossoming industry.
According to a report by Morgan Stanley, the state of California will be the only one to offer online poker gaming in 2015. Yet, many believe this may not be the case. Various reports, including one at CardPlayer, clearly shows how different legislation has been proposed only to go nowhere. The latest to be introduced is the Internet Poker Consumer Protection Act of 2015, which was created by Assemblyman Mike Gatto.
The new bill would create online poker gaming in the state and would allow only those within the state to take part. Gatto believes his bill is different than others as it will take on external criticisms in the industry as well as expand the fruits of labor to include competing gaming interests. The language of the bill has been accepted by many in the industry but also rejected by others.
Interested parties such as PokerStars and their partners, several cardrooms and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The group of partners released a statement against the new bill not long after its release and do not want to see the measure come to pass.
For now, the speculation is just that, speculation. We will have to wait and see what happens in 2015, with California and other states interested in offering online poker gaming.
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