California online poker hearing tomorrow

02/08/2010

The long hoped for legalisation of online poker in California may come a step nearer tomorrow (Tuesday Feb. 9th) as the Senate Governmental Organization Committee begins an informal hearing titled "Examining the Public Policy and Fiscal Implications Related to the Authorization of Intrastate Internet Poker in California."

The hearing will be held at Room 4203 in the State Capitol in Sacramento from 9:30 a.m- 5:30 p.m., and the agenda includes statements from tribal government leaders, commercial card clubs, players, California Gambling Control Commission representatives, internet service providers, problem gambling and anti-gambling bodies.

The hearing is the result of an intention by the State Senate of California to explore the feasibility of raising tax revenues from the multi-billion dollar online poker industry, much of which is currently snapped up by non-tax paying offshore operators.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which has made recent headlines by trying to gain exclusivity to Californian online poker whilst opposing the federal moves by Congressman Barney Frank to legalise online gambling, is scheduled to present its case for exclusivity in partnership with major local cardrooms.