Poker News – It’s no secret that California is the next state most likely to legalize some sort of Internet gaming. It’s also no secret that PokerStars has been working towards integrating themselves into the future online poker market in the “Golden State.” Not surprisingly, the online poker conglomerate has been met with some opposition. Last week, over a dozen tribes, including the San Manuel and Pechanga, released a statement urging the State Legislature to “prevent unscrupulous entities” from future iPoker opportunities.
“Recent news reports indicate that online poker operator, PokerStars, is in partnership negotiations with a California tribe and two or more card clubs to offer online poker in California,” the statement said. “Although we presently have slightly differing views on a legislative framework for Intrastate Internet Poker in California, our tribal governments are united in our steadfast opposition to the easing of regulatory standards that would accommodate bad actors whose past behavior and tainted brands and assets would erode the integrity of Intrastate Internet poker under consideration.”
In late February, two different bills to regulate online poker were introduced to California legislature. The two bills — SB 1366 and AB 2291 — were recently analyzed by Gambling Compliance, which you can read here. California’s tribes are currently split on the bills, both of which contain a “bad actor” clause that looks to prohibit companies that catered to the United States after the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed in 2006.
On Friday, PokerStars’ Head of Corporate Communications Eric Hollreiser released a statement addressing those who are “misrepresenting” the company’s past. PokerStars has reportedly been in negotiations with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as well as three large card clubs, to offer iPoker in the state.
