If you have been following online poker legislation movement in the United States at all over the years, then you have most certainly seen that California has been discussing the option for some time now, but disagreements between card rooms, Indian tribes and race tracks have left the state in a stalemate. It seems that poker legislation is never going to move forward until these groups can come to some sort of consensus.
Earlier this month, we reported that a new measure had been introduced and would offer race tracks $60 million in yearly payments to not become involved in the industry. The race tracks have been a hot point of contention when it comes to legislation as some tribes are okay with the tracks being involved while others are not.
It was just recently announced that the United Auburn Indian Community has joined the coalition of tribes who are in favor of new online poker legislation that has been introduced into the state. According to Online Poker Report, the United Auburn Indian Community is now part of what is being dubbed the ‘PokerStars Coalition’, a group of tribes who are partnered with PokerStars. The coalition includes the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians as well as the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. These tribes would be working with Amaya Gaming and PokerStars if online gaming is regulated in the state.
Interestingly enough, the UAIC was in a coalition with the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in the past, a group that opposed PokerStars being allowed into the California online poker industry once legislation is passed. The group actually left this coalition last year and began to show support of online poker legislation at that time.
Yet, six tribes still remain that are in favor of seeing bad actor clauses added to online poker legislation. This type of language in a bill would keep such sites as PokerStars from offering services. With the newest legislation introduced, AB 2863, bad actor language is not included. While the Pechanga group may not be in favor of the new legislation, the PokerStars coalition is. Lynn Valbuena, a chairwoman for San Manuel, stated that after eight years of discussion, very few issues remain outstanding and the group is optimistic that by working together, an online poker bill can be passed this year.
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