California introduces legislation to legalize internet poker

[daneblazer]

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/Forget-Cellphones-Casinos-Say-Poker-Is-Answer-to-States-Budget-Woes-113497784.html?dr

California voters may have decided that marijuana was not the answer to the state's budget woes but what about gambling?
A group of California casinos say they could raise about $1 billion over the next decade if the state legalized Internet poker.
The problem is California is facing a $25 billion shortfall right now. But with Gov. Jerry Brown cutting costs wherever he can -- see his $20 million cell phone savings earlier this week -- $100 million a year could go a long way.
The proposal has been put into legislation pending in the state Senate. And the group of casinos is so serious about pushing the proposal it has commissioned a study that claims the state would initially make about $82 million a year initially and it would bounce to over $100 million a year within five years.

[scarface2738]

It is way to smart of an idea for California to pass.

[Kaabee]

is this intrastate. i fear that a bunch of states will do intrastate only and the player pools will be small.

[Nookx]

This bill is horrible. It makes it illegal to play on any other site beside the califorinia state run poker site. Rake will be extraodinarly high and it will be like playing the lotto. This is not a good bill. This is horrible for all poker players and sets a bad precedent for other states to follow. I live in california and this is horrible.

[scarface2738]

Nookx is 100% correct.

[uofajoe99]

I can't see how this things would pass...I know Cali is hurting for finances, but this bill is just a bad bill all the way around. ANYTIME a state legislator gives one group a monopoly on gambling it is never a good thing. Happened here in Arkansas ages ago with "track" betting.