California tribes still at odds over online poker

Sacramento Bee –  California tribal casinos were deeply divided about how, or if, the state should legalize online poker. Now tribes are talking, but a deal remains elusive because of key disagreements. Robert Martin, chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, said he would have no problem with allowing racetracks and advanced-deposit wagering facilities to offer online poker. “I can’t answer for every tribe, but I can tell you that Agua Caliente would oppose that bill,” said Jeff Grubbe, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. He noted that voters in 2004 rejected a measure to expand…

Nevada Online Poker Revenue Falls in April

Card Player – Nevada’s three online sites collected a total of $792,000 in revenue during the month of April, according to a state reported released Wednesday morning. That figure amounts to a decline of 14.5 percent compared to March’s $926,000. February’s figure was $824,000. February marked the first time ever that a Silver State gaming revenue report included online poker figures. The state was keeping the numbers under wraps until a third casino firm, South Point, started offering games. Station Casinos, which debuted games in spring 2013, and Caesars Entertainment, which kicked things off in late summer 2013, are the…

Will PokerStars be dealt out of legalized online poker in California?

LA Times – In legislative proceedings, the most important words in a debate often are the ones left unmentioned. At a hearing held by a California state assembly committee last month about legalizing online poker, the unspoken term was PokerStars. No hearing witnesses wanted to say outright that they were talking about PokerStars. It’s the largest online poker company in the world, which wants in on the riches to be had if California legalizes Internet card play, but it also has faced federal charges of money laundering and fraud. So the April 23 discussion before the Governmental Organization Committee was…

Looming Deadline Unlikely to Affect California Online Poker Bills

Online Poker Report – Unbeknownst to most people outside of the state legislature, California’s online poker bills are up against a deadline coming at the end of this month. The time limit is legitimate, and requires that all bills must pass their “house of origin” by May 30, according to the California legislative calendar and the California legislature’s joint rules (page 39 has the pertinent information). The deadline was first brought to attention by Washington Internet Poker Initiative founder and OnlinePokerReport.com contributor Curtis Woodard, who pointed out several upcoming deadlines. The legislative calendar reads, “May 30 Last day to pass…

Online Poker in Massachusetts

Radio Boston – Online poker could soon be legal in Massachusetts. An addendum to this year’s budget proposal has been signed by no less than 18 state representatives and would see three online poker licenses issued. With delays to the various brick and mortar casino proposals across the state, residents could see online poker rooms open for business before they ever set foot in an actual casino. Boston author Ben Mezrich knows all about the world of online poker. His book, “Straight Flush: The True Story Of Six College Friends Who Dealt Their Way To A Billion-Dollar Online Poker Empire…

The 50-State iGaming Initiative: Hawaii to Iowa

Poker News – Internet gaming, also known as iGaming, is spreading on a state-by-state basis. Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey have already passed legislation and are reaping the tax benefits, while other states such as California and Pennsylvania are primed to follow in their footsteps. Despite efforts by Sheldon Adelson and his cronies, it seems iGaming is inevitable, but as I. Nelson Rose, Professor of Law at Whittier Law School, said in a Casino Enterprise Management gaming forecast, it’ll take time. “Two years ago, I wrote that developments on the Internet are like dog years,” Rose said. “It might have…