California: Online Poker only & in 2015

California will go for online poker only when the state is ready to enter the iGaming sector, at least for the start that is said the state’s Gambling Control Commission.

Richard Schuetz who is head of the Commission said that online poker could become a reality, but cannot imagine a full out online gambling bill such as New Jersey, when California enter online gambling. Schuetz said that it may not be viable to allow the introduction of other online gambling activities, for fear that they would damage tribal casinos across the state.

Another interesting comment from Mr Schuetz said is that he doubts that California will bother running to other states to form interstate compacts, with the population of California at 38 million it would not need any other states to prop up the business.

 “We have 38 million people,” he said. “We’re the eighth largest economy in the world. We’re bigger than Canada, so it’s not a case like Nevada that has 2.7 million people. We have more poker tables in the state of California than every other state in the nation.”

“This is a game about numbers. If the numbers aren’t there, all the wishing and hoping is not going to make it work. In some regards, it’s like a state saying, ‘We want to be an oil producer.’ Well, you better have oil. For a small state to try and develop a game that involves big numbers is a problem. So California is in a unique situation with its 38 million-plus people.”

Finally Schuetz was asked if 2014 would see online poker legislation, he said it was highly unlikely being an election year and no politicians want to push a gambling bill and upset voters, but a bill will come around again and most likely in 2015.