The California Online Poker Bill draft was leaked online earlier this month. This online poker bill details the plan to regulate online poker in the state of California. The draft of this bill is dated January 15,2009. The bill will probably be amended if it passes through legislature.
The California Online Poker Bill limits licenses to current California licensed gaming establishments (Brick & Mortar casinos like Commerce Casino, Bicycle Club and Bay101). The bill also states only poker games already approved at the land based licensed gambling establishments may be offered online.
“Licenses to operate intrastate Internet poker websites under this Act shall be issued only to current Gaming Establishments licensed by the State of California and California tribes with gaming compacts. ”
As of now the bill instructs the California State Gambling Commission (CSGC) to draft the regulations for the proposed intrastate poker network. This bill sets the gambling age at 21 and will verify residency and age requirements.
If this bill actually passes, it will be interesting to see how this affects the current USA online poker rooms.
We will update this article with progress as the California Online Poker Bill passes through legislature.
Read the Draft here: California Online Poker Bill Draft
