Between native Indian tribes with a virtual monopoly on poker revenue and a rapidly ticking timer which continues to rule out 2012 as a possibility for legalized online poker play in the state, California’s poker proponents are stuck between a clock and a hard place. However, one of the senators who authored the current online poker bill which awaits approval or rejection is not about to give up without a fight. Senator Rod Wright co-authored online intrastate poker Bill SB 1463 with state Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, and it currently stands against heavy opposition from Native American groups in California, as well as financial skeptics concerning online poker’s fiduciary promises.
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California Internet Poker – A Hard to Kill Topic
A proposed Internet poker bill for California has died in committee at the end of August, but it seems the topic of Internet poker in the Golden State is proving hard to kill. Even with the Republican National Committee staunchly announcing their stance that online poker and other forms of gambling in the United States be deemed illegal in all forms, many leaders in California’s gaming industry persist in keeping Internet poker alive in the minds of prospective players and legislators. In a recent interview with Card Player magazine, a source close to the California Internet poker legislative situation, speaking on a condition of anonymity, said that the top players in that state’s gaming industry have vowed to keep Internet poker front and center in the eyes of both California’s residents and their legislators.
Online Gambling Crushed Hollywood Receipts in 2011
Online poker and other forms of gambling were illegal in the United States in 2011. Similar laws were in force in multiple European and Asian countries around the world as well, yet Hollywood movies are promoted, shipped to, and viewed in every corner of the globe. And yet even so, Hollywood barely matched a mere 20% of the amount of income created by online wagering and gambling in 2011 in South America alone. Hollywood movies grossed a little under $26 billion worldwide in 2011, but online gaming in poker rooms, casinos, bingo halls and sportsbooks in just South America totaled more than $124 billion.
October Online Poker Possible in Nevada
After becoming the first state in the US to legalize online poker after the Department of Justice changed their tune regarding its legalities in December of 2011, online poker enthusiasts have wondered ever since when Nevada will virtually shuffle up and deal for the first time. On the manufacturing side of the equation, Bally Technologies, International Game Technology and Shuffle Master have all been granted online interactive gaming licenses in that state, and earlier predictions this year showed mid-2013 as the earliest date that actual play would transpire. But recent proceedings and developments, coupled with the fact that Nevada desperately wants to become the first state to offer legalized online poker in the US since the friendlier DOJ legislation was adopted, means that the online poker community may see Nevada Internet poker as early as October of this year.
California Web Poker 2012 Deadline Is August 31
With such an incredibly rich history of offering legalized poker play in brick-and-mortar poker rooms around the state, as well as far and away the largest population to draw from for a potential player pool, coupled with crushing debt problems, you would think that online poker legislation in California would pass with flying colors. Unfortunately, that is not the case. California is probably also the only state in the US which could entirely act as a single entity, without having to make multistate deals because their player pool is potentially so large. Many smaller states will have to make multistate partnerships to be able to finance an online poker experience for their citizens and visitors.
Maryland Next Up For US Online Poker
Delaware and Nevada are already in, and New Jersey is knocking on the door. What are we referring to? Online poker in the United States of course. With the US Department of Justice now allowing the individual states in the US to declare their online poker destiny, Nevada and Delaware have quickly moved to legalize online poker. Delaware has gone further and legalized betting on NFL football games as well as a full slate of online casino wagering. New Jersey appears to be closer than the other US states in the race to become the third to adopt online poker legislation, and Marilyn wants to do something about that.
Tribal Officials Wary as US Online Poker Pushes for Federal Approval
Indian tribes have had a brick-and-mortar lock-down monopoly on legalized casino gambling and poker in many states for many years now. So you can certainly understand why tribal officials currently benefiting from being the only game in town are concerned that legalized online poker in the United States will drastically hurt their business. After all, if the federal government in the United States adopts a pro-online poker policy and passes legislation to that end, the same person who used to have to make a special trip to a physical Indian tribal casino can now fire up their laptop, smartphone or home computer and play wherever they like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without leaving their home.
Nevada Game Developer Betting on Internet Gambling Jackpot
With Delaware and Nevada both now preparing to offer online poker legally for the first time in the United States, companies are lining up to try to get a piece of the billion-dollar online gambling pie. 3G Studios is one such game developer based in Reno, Nevada and they are betting heavily that online gambling will be more than a passing fancy in the United States and abroad. They are a privately held company who recently hired more than 75 contractors in China and India, and stateside they have 47 US employees.
Cantor Gaming Eyeing California Online Poker – Announces Partnership
You can’t really blame companies like Cantor Gaming for getting all hot and bothered when they consider the possible profits provided by a state like California should online poker legislation be adopted there. The 2010 census showed more than 37 million residents residing inside California state boundaries, so the estimated population in 2012 or 2013 would have to be north of 38 million. Delaware and Nevada have already adopted legalized online poker legislation, and it also provides for travelers and visitors to their state to also be able to legally play online poker while they are located inside state boundaries.
Republican Heller Final Piece of Federal US Online Poker Puzzle
Sometimes when the same old tone you’ve been screaming in is being ignored, you can get a lot accomplished with a clear word from a different voice. That is exactly what Senators John Kyl and Harry Reid hope to accomplish by involving the Junior Senator from Nevada, Republican Dean Heller, in their efforts to get their US online poker Bill passed at the national level. While he is the Junior Senator in that state, Heller is a respected Republican. Reid (Dem) and Kyl (Rep) have entrusted Heller with creating support on the Republican level.