Tribes are backing two bills to legalize Internet poker games in California:
The new Chair of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), is the author of one of the new bills (SB 1366) and has displayed willingness to understand and accommodate stakeholder concerns. The Correa bill is backed by a coalition including the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, the United Auburn Community, and the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, among others. The other bill (AB 2291) was introduced by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), a relative newcomer to on-line gaming. AB 2291, has the support of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuila Indians, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, as well as others. Both bills legalize on-line poker only, and require that all players be physically located within the state boundaries. Both bills limit operator licensing to: (i) federally-recognized California tribes that have conducted on-premises casino gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) for a minimum period of time or (ii) licensed card rooms that are in good standing with the California Gambling Control Commission. Both bills provide for expedited background checks for license applicants that currently operate tribal casinos or card rooms. Both bills also exclude racetracks and advance deposit wagering providers that were included as potential licensees in previous legislation.Get the Story: