Just when it looked like bill AB 2863 was going to get a vote in the California Assembly, the bill has been pulled from consideration due to opposition over recent amendments.

While one would assume that the PokerStars Coalition is the primary group opposing these amendments, it appears that a couple of politically powerful tribes are also opposing the legislation but for different reasons.

PokerStars Opposed to Five-Year Ban With No Buyout

Two major changes were made last week to AB 2863. The first was a change in tax rate, making it a flat 10%.

The other, and the most important to stakeholders, is a change in suitability language that effectively bans bad actors until 2022.

This is essentially a five-year ban assuming that online poker in California launches in 2017. The PokerStars Coalition that includes the Morongo and San Manuel Mission Indians are opposed to this change.

PokerStars believes that it should be allowed to enter the market immediately and previously supported an amendment that gave the option of a five-year ban or a $20 million payout that would allow them to apply immediately.

This new amendment eliminates the buyout and forces PokerStars to wait five years.

Viejas and Lytton Wants Changes to Bad Actor Language

The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians and the Vijas Band of Kumeyaay Indians have also spoken out on the bad actor clause in its current form.

According to reports the tribes are concerned about the 2022 date because PokerStars may not serve a five-year ban depending on when online poker launches.

For example, if iPoker is regulated in 2017 but doesn't launch until 2018 or 2019, PokerStars would receive a shorter ban than tribes were originally promised.

Instead, the tribes are advocating that the language of the amendment be changed to start the ban when the first bet is taken by regulated sites.

That way, if online poker launches in 2018, PokerStars would be banned until 2023.

Current Opposition Makes Chances of Passage Unlikely

As things presently stand some believe that the chances are now slim that AB 2863 passes. In order for the bill to pass out of the Assembly, 54 yes votes are needed.

The bill was scheduled for a Monday vote but was pulled over opposition and there's been zero movement since then.

Lawmakers have just six days to get this bill passed out of Assembly and pushed through the Senate.

Does Assemblyman Adam Gray have one last "Hail Mary" play in his playbook? If so, he better run it or we will have to start over again in 2017.