A suggested modification to the California internet poker legislation offers a significant concession to the state’s equestrian sector in an effort to alleviate their worries and secure their backing. Assemblyman Adam Gray’s updated legislation, AB 431, would earmark a substantial 95% of the initial $60 million in yearly internet poker earnings for the horse racing sector. In return, racetracks would be prohibited from engaging in California’s internet poker market. This new clause would also categorize AB 431 as an emergency statute, signifying it would become effective immediately upon the Governor’s approval if it clears both houses of the California legislature with a supermajority vote.
The legislation recommends a 15% levy on online poker gross gaming income. Gaming establishments with a minimum of five years of experience and California indigenous groups would be qualified to request licenses. Nevertheless, although California indigenous groups have notionally consented to a structure of restricted licenses for tribes and card rooms along with a financial aid package for the horse racing sector, they have not yet pledged their complete endorsement to AB 431. The cutoff date for bills to be presented in the 2016 legislative session was February 19th.