Who says expansion is a bad thing? For poker players in California, it may just be some of the best news to come along in a while.
According to a recent release, the state’s government has made promising revisions to Senate Bill 40, America’s latest attempt at intra-state poker. The original draft was submitted midway through this past December by California State Senator Louis Correa. Now, Correa has stepped in to add a few provisions to his creation.
Foremost among these is his boosting of the number of proposed gaming licenses which Bill 40 would grant. While the tally had initially been set at one, it has now been raised to five, three of which would be available immediately upon the document’s signing into law. The final two, he states, would be handed out over a period of three years after legalization has begun.
Also integrated into the bill was a ten percent license fee, aimed at easing the financial burden on state implementers. This comes on top of the standard charge for a license, which was aimed, according to the bill, “to reimburse the department for its costs in implementing and administering this chapter, protecting that gaming from criminal influences and protecting the public health, welfare and safety of the people of California.”
Bill 40 has gained a sizable amount of leverage in recent months, thanks to the backing of the California Online Poker Association. This group is made up largely of members of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, who have been instrumental in the formation of the bill.
The proposed legislation has already been endorsed by the California Gaming Association. This body represents the 69 card clubs currently licensed within state borders, and is headed up by Executive Director Rob Ross. Here’s what he had to say on the bill:
“Senate Bill 40 will help revitalize the state’s economy while protecting players. This bill is an opportunity for licensed card clubs to participate in a new and rapidly evolving technology, should they elect to do so.”