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On the Way to Poker
 

An interesting development in the U.S. online casino gambling debates is likely to cause concern with the European Union and Antiguan officials. California is on its way to offering its citizens internet poker gambling choices. Although there is the argument that internet poker is in direct defiance of the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), the state is arguing the other side of the debate. According to the latest results, bill AB 2026, which would legalize internet poker offered by companies within California to California residents, was just passed thought he Senate Governmental Organization Committee. This is just the first step in gaining approval for online casino poker gambling sites, but it is certainly a positive step.

The bill now moves onto the Senate Appropriations Committee for passage – and that is not the last stop. Although there are still several more steps toward approval, the bill seems to have overwhelming support in the state government. The only problems now could erupt from the international offshore and foreign online casinos which are blocked from accessing U.S. players due to the UIGEA, which stops financial transactions between internet gambling sites and financial institutions.

Internationally, the UIGEA is seen as a piece of protectionist legislation that specifically discriminates against foreign and offshore online casinos. The EU has already settled with the US Trade Representatives for revisions to international trade commitments, but the legalization of internet poker in California could very well fuel the additional negotiations and investigation by the European Commission, which is scheduled for July.

The bill is still a long way off, but there is every likelihood that Californian casinos will have the option of launching internet poker to California residents in the near future.