PokerStars Tries to Prevent Bad Actor Clause in California Online Poker Bill
Two California lawmakers have introduced bills, AB 2291 and SB 1366 that could legalize online poker. Many online gaming operators are eagerly waiting for the state legislature to pass either of these bills.
PokerStars hopes that online poker will soon be legal in the Golden State, but is worried that a future law will have a bad actors clause that would bar it from entering the market. The company is reportedly working with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to ensure a future law won’t include such a restriction reports Gambling Compliance.
The Morongo tribe is one of the tribes that is trying the hardest to legalize online poker. There are rumors that the tribe may form a partnership with PokerStars if online poker is legalized. A recent report from iGamingPlayer states that the tribe is already collaborating with PokerStars. The report said that the claim came from a very reliable source.
PokerStars has been eagerly trying to return to the United States online poker market. Nevada’s new online poker law states that companies that violated the UIGEA or other U.S. gambling laws are not allowed to operate in the market for 10 years. New Jersey doesn’t have a bad actor clause, but the state Division of Gaming Enforcement ruled that PokerStars wouldn’t be eligible to apply for an online gaming license for another two years.
The gaming operator doesn’t want to be excluded from the California gaming market as well, because the player base is much higher than most other states. PokerStars apparently hopes that a future online gambling law would allow it to participate in the market. However, the state’s tribes, lawmakers and cardrooms are having a difficult time agreeing on the terms of a future online gaming bill. They will need to negotiate many proposed measures, which means that a bad actor clause may need to be included before a bill can be passed.
This blog entry was posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 at 9:08 pm and is filed under Blackjack News.