The aspiration for lawful internet poker in the Golden State could be postponed until 2018 at the earliest, potentially even further. Legislation intended to oversee and authorize the game was presented in 2016 but encountered significant resistance. Certain legislators believed the measure was overly restrictive and would lack efficacy. Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, the bill’s sponsor, recognized the necessity for a new beginning, stressing the significance of achieving consensus.
A major obstacle is the participation of PokerStars, a prominent entity in the online poker realm. Several lawmakers are reluctant to grant such a large corporation access to the Californian market. Furthermore, despite an accord between Native American tribes and the horse racing sector regarding online poker privileges, the bill’s future trajectory remains uncertain. It appears that Californian poker enthusiasts will need to exercise patience for legal online games.
Indigenous Californian communities have expressed significant resistance to PokerStars’ possible entrance into the state’s internet poker industry. They contend that the company’s existence would negatively impact their own gambling enterprises, which represent a substantial income stream for their populations.
Discussions between tribal authorities and legislators have allegedly been strained, with Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer going so far as to have security officers recite the state’s legal code concerning threats towards government officials to a delegate of the alliance opposing PokerStars.
As talks appear to have reached a standstill, legislators are conceding that a solution will probably require considerably more time, potentially extending into the following year. Jones-Sawyer acknowledged that any intentions for a hearing on the issue this year are no longer feasible, remarking, “It’s quite evident we won’t be advancing anything at present.”
He continued, “Observe the Legislature; we have other pressing matters, such as infrastructure. This is not the opportune moment to promote contentious legislation. I believe if we can take steps to reconcile the differences between now and the next year, we have a greater likelihood of accomplishing something.”