California has introduced its long-awaited bill authorising the creation of an intrastate online poker system.
Senator Rod Wright, leader of the Senate Committee with oversight for gambling, introduced the amended version of SB 1485 last week. The bill proposes the state’s Department of Justice award up to three five-year contracts to California-based operators to run online poker websites for state residents.
The bill has been designated as an urgency measure, meaning it would go into effect immediately upon legislative passage and signature by the Governor. A non-urgency measure would not go into effect until January 1, 2011.
This urgency status of the bill reflects California’s pressing need for tax revenues to plug its huge and growing budget deficit, set to reach to US$19bn by the end of the current financial year.
SB 1485 will appear before California legislators today.
