Lawmakers in the state of California are working hard to reach the August 31st deadline with an online poker bill but it looks as though the deadline may be missed. Senate President Pro Tem Darrel Steinberg has told reporters that he believes it is possible that the work will be completed on the bill but he does not see it happening in the last four weeks.
The online poker bill was co-authored by Steinberg and the bill was introduced into legislation by Rod Wright, a senator in the state. Steinberg’s office has worked hard to move negotiations along with tribes and the casinos, horse tracks and other gambling establishments.
Despite everyone’s hard work, the bill has not moved since it was introduced this past February. On Monday, Steinberg spoke out about how some tribes are in support of the legislation and some are opposed to the bill but support the concept in the bill. Other tribes are totally against online poker becoming legalized in the state.
It has been estimated that if the bill was passed then the state would be able to bring in around $200 million in licensing fees. Steinberg commented: “I’m not going to break a pick on this issue. But I’m willing to see it through if there is a little more consensus.”
According to a report by The Press Enterprise, the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians are in support of the online poker bill. A council member of Rincon, Steven Stallings, has stated that he believes there is still a chance that a deal will be made before the session ends.
The Rincon tribe is working hard as well trying to see the bill passed. The tribe has been in talks with the California Online Poker Association to try out work out the bill language which works for everyone. The Association is not in favor of the new bill and the members of the organization are part of other tribes in the state.
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