California receives online poker bill

California seemed to be online with the poker rooms as per Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s bill that was introduced a few days ago as a measure to, finally, open the doors to the online poker industry in the US Golden State of California. The AB 9 legislation seemed to be what the online poker industry has been looking for during these last months after looking at other US states’ successful online gambling industry, like New Jersey’s, Nevada’s and Delaware’s. AB 9 rule has been sold as the solution to create the missing industry framework for the online gaming market. Assemblyman Mike Gatto has made a few statements on his site: “AB 9 would establish a regulatory structure that would provide all participants, from players to website operators, with certainty and security that will legitimize the game, support locally-owned businesses, and keep much-needed revenue in the state. The status quo is a lost opportunity. California could receive significant revenue for merely regulating and legitimizing an industry that Californians already participate in but send their dollars overseas. California has led the world in computer and internet innovation, and there is no good reason why we cannot continue to lead with a sensible online-poker framework. AB 9 borrows from time-tested business practices that will improve our government finances and keep our money in our home state.”

On the other hand, the PokerStars coalition, an alliance with the Morongo and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, plus three of the largest card rooms in California, does not see the same fate for the online poker industry: “The PokerStars coalition was committed to working with legislators to pass Internet poker legislation in 2015. We are convinced that the various interests must work together if we are to be successful in establishing a well-regulated environment and the best-in-class Internet poker industry for California. Unfortunately, AB 9 is a rehash of previously unsuccessful proposals. Any bill that seeks to establish artificial competitive advantages for some, while denying Californians the best online poker experiences, will only serve to divide the community and will be opposed by our coalition.”