Cards Chat – For many years, industry analysts pointed to California as being the gateway state for online poker to become legalized. After all, if the most populous state could pull it off, many believe that would lead to a domino effect for other states to get on board.
But California’s Native American tribes who operate a monopoly for casinos have long opposed legalizing online gaming and online poker. Now, in a reversal of that long-held stance, the seven most influential tribes’ leaders have testified that they are ready to make it happen, assuming certain stipulations be met.
For many years, California’s gaming tribes have been one of the most influential lobbying groups in the state. When the groups come together to speak on one subject, they tend to not just be heard, but also get their way. Contributing heavily over the years to political campaigns on both sides has bought them the favor of lawmakers. Those same lawmakers heard the seven biggest tribes speak and seemed to share the newly found enthusiasm conveyed by the tribes.
While many on both sides of the political spectrum listened to the panel, not all were enthusiastic at the possibility of legalized online poker in California. There are those in the pocket of one Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas billionaire who has vowed to kill any and all online gaming and poker, at both the state and federal level. Adelson has already stated multiple times that online poker in California would hurt Las Vegas businesses and has already hired a goon squad of lobbyists to assist efforts to block any Californian legalization of online poker.
