California Senate Committee on Poker Legalization

A hearing on the poker legalization regarding public policy and fiscal implications on the internet poker by the California state Senate committee is made. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians and Commerce Casino want to create a monopoly of Internet poker within the state to be controlled by the Indian tribes.

Poker Players Alliance or PPA executive director John Pappas and state director Steve Miller are scheduled to speak at the hearing. Pappas will discuss the progress of federal legislation to license and regulate the industry while Miller will talk about the players’ concerns regarding the desire for a free market.

The PPA is ready to combat any proposals that will limit playing options for our members as well as harm the marketplace,” Pappas said. “The Indian tribes speak for themselves, not for lawmakers or the poker players of California. In the end, I think the state would benefit far greater under federal models being proposed than this narrow-minded, narrowly focused intrastate monopoly.

The California Tribal Business Alliance opposes any Internet poker bill saying that the licensing of Internet poker would violate existing gaming compacts The CTBA opposes federal legislation. The Morongo proposal would set up only one site for California players and prohibit play on existing shores.