With 2015 about to conclude it's time to look back at the year that was and take stock at what was accomplished in furthering California iPoker.
While online poker once again failed to pass, there were positive steps forward taken by most interested shareholders that give us confidence that a bill will be passed in the next couple of years.
Below are the three major positive developments for California iPoker in 2015.
- AB 431 Emerges From Committee
Although more symbolic than historic, AB 431 did manage to emerge from committee in 2015 and is the first time an online poker bill had the chance of receiving a vote in the Assembly.
The downside is that AB 431 was a shell bill that was never completed and was effectively put into limbo once it reached the Assembly floor.
The upside is that this proves that lawmakers are willing to move on a bill if the conditions are right, and hopefully conditions improve in 2016.
2. Pechanga Offers Compromise to the Horse Racing Industry
In a move that was surprising to some the Pechanga were actually the first to offer a compromise to resolve the issue revolving around the horse racing industry's participation in California iPoker.
A pair of compromises were offered to the horse racing industry and summarily dismissed.
The first, and honestly most generous of the two, would setup revenue sharing for the racetracks. This would guarantee them annual income from online poker sites in California.
The other option would be to make racetracks affiliates of online poker operators, allowing tracks to setup their contracts and earn rakeback long term from players.
3. PokerStars Begins Grassroots Campaign
PokerStars finally began the ground war in its battle to earn a spot in California iPoker.
First it created the group Californians for Responsible iPoker and launched the PokerStars Pro Tour to increase advocacy among citizens.
This was a brilliant move by PokerStars and achieved multiple objectives. Primarily it brought the issue of iPoker locally to Californians and made it a tangible product rather than some "theory" offered by lawmakers.
Next, it put the PokerStars brand prominently in from of players and left a positive impression.
It will be hard for lawmakers to convince citizens that PokerStars is not a valid operator after the positive press earned in 2015.