Legal Online Poker Sites and Casinos in California

Listing all Legal Poker and Casino Sites for Players in California

With the pending SB 1485 on the table, online poker may soon become legal in California. This bill, written by Sen. Rod Wright,  would award three “hubs” with five year term contracts to operate legal online poker sites in California. This would make California the first US state to offer intrastate online poker.

Although the SB1485 is pending, California players can choose to play poker online for free or real money by joining one of the poker sites listed below. Each poker room accepts players from the “Golden State” as well as most states within the United States. They provide a safe and friendly environment, and are legally licensed and regulated within the Netherlands Antilles and Curaco.

Legalizing Online Gambling in California - California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and Consumer Protection Act 2010

California state Senator R.Wright (D-Inglewood) amended the proposed Senate Bill 1485, suggesting that the states Department of Justice grant three contracts to operate California licensed online poker sites. The bill would accommodate three hubs, licensed by the state of California for a five year term to set up and operate online gambling sites. Senator Wright has requested that the contracts would be granted to the highest bidders and would submit at least 20% of the gross revenue generated to the state which of course would help offset the states massive deficit.

Bidders would include tribal casinos as well as other applicants will to pay the hefty tax. The revenue received by the state would be directed to a new fund labeled “The Internet Gambling Fund”. The proposed bill would require the “hubs” to submit to regular reporting and an audit performed by the state two years prior to their contract expiring. The bill was discussed by the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization on June 22 and is opposed by the tribal casinos. The bill in it's current state would essentially give a Class III license to operators which goes against any agreements the state has made with the tribes.

The 2010 California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and Consumer Protection Act proposed

Prior to Senator Wright’s amendment, the state has hired multiple consultants to review and research the impact of legalized online gambling within the state of California. All of the findings, including that of Genest Consulting have come to the same conclusion. When and if California legalizes online poker, the state will be able to gain a huge amount of revenue that would in turn assist with the $20 million gap they are currently experiencing.

According to the Genest report, more than 750,000 Californians play online poker already. If the state was to pass the SB 1485 bill and provide intrastate online poker, the state could generate as much as $61.1 million in year one and $183.4 million by year five if the state remains competitive with the current sites and has a 5% rake.

Another hearing is schedule for June 29th, 2010.