Online Gambling News

Date: 04/25/2008

In the US, the California Assembly Governmental Organization Committee passed Bill AB 2026 unanimously a few days ago, to look at possibly offering Internet poker in California.

This proposed legislation is called The Gambling Control/California Intrastate Online Poker Act. Lloyd Levine, Assemblyman and Chairman of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, introduced the proposed legislation in February. The Assembly Appropriations Committee will now debate the proposed legislation, after which an eventual full vote will follow.

The Capitol Weekly stated that the Bill would empower California’s State Gambling Control Commission. They could use it to convince the California Department of Justice to study the possibility of allowing online poker for California residents. This would take place in accordance with the Federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which states that all states are allowed to legalise and then regulate in-state Internet gambling.

If the legislation is approved, conducted and stated that in-state regulations were possible, it could mean that California could vote on the legislation as soon as June 2008. 'It would be regulated,' said Levine. 'We don't know what the state's piece will be but it will be a regulated entity.' Levine said that regulated online gambling would improve consumer protections in instances such as legal action if a website wont pay out to a customer.

US Poker Voters will serve as the legislation’s citizen sponsors and will work together with Levine’s representatives and other State officials to step up the pace and set up a timeline and agenda for passage of the Bill.