Card Player – There are currently two bills on the table that could bring online poker to California and obviously, PokerStars wants in. California has a population of 38 million, roughly 14 times that of Nevada. With a state by state patchwork of online poker legislation in the works, the Golden State is one of the most sought after markets in the country.
The site has reportedly entered negotiations with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, who operate the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon. While the Morongos may be the best way to get PokerStars’ foot in the door, the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) has pledged to block any piece of legislation that doesn’t have a “bad actor” clause, which would essentially shut the site out of the market for the indictments that occurred as a result of Black Friday.
Although PokerStars’ $731 million settlement with the Department of Justice was not an admission of guilt, the site has had trouble getting back into the U.S. after failed attempts to buy an Atlantic City casino and partner with existing casinos for licensing.
In order for either of the two bills to pass, it will need the support of the CTBA. California is home to the nation’s largest and most powerful tribal gaming industry which brings in roughly $6.8 billion annually.
However, Chairperson Leslie Lohse has indicted that the alliance will not support any bill that will allow PokerStars back into the market because of their continued operation in the U.S. after the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.
“We will strongly oppose any legislation which allows PokerStars to participate,” Lohse said in a statement.
