Worth a gamble? Online gaming already happening - U-T San Diego

online games - Google News Google News

Worth a gamble? Online gaming already happening - U-T San Diego Mar 25th 2012, 01:16 Most opponents to online gaming in California approach the debate as if it is a question of whether or not there will be online gaming in the state. But that question has long ago been asked and answered. At a minimum, hundreds of thousands of Californians engage in online gaming. Many of those do so legally through advanced deposit wagering on horse racing. Many others already engage in the very games we seek to make legal through Senate Bill 1463. There are several reasons why I have worked for years to create a framework for legalized online gaming in California. First of all, those players who engage in online gaming today have no legal protections, no expectation that government can come to their aid when they are not paid and in the amount due. Secondly, and of no less importance, it is my responsibility to the people of this state to see that California collects its fair share of revenue on the millions of dollars that are wagered online. Class sizes are growing, college tuition is skyrocketing and in-home support services for the elderly and disabled are suffering brutal cuts, all while we allow untold millions to slip through our fingers under the guise of "public morality." The fact of the matter is some form of gaming is legal in 42 states, including ours. California voters approved gambling back in 1984 when they passed the California Lottery Act and have since voted to expand its reach to tribal lands. Blockbuster, Borders – the Internet highway is littered with the roadkill of those who tried to deny its progress or stand in its way. Today, Americans use the Internet to do their banking, Christmas shopping, order prescription refills … you name it, it's made its way to the World Wide Web. Saying it isn't so won't rewrite reality. Gaming has already made its way to the Internet and will continue to grow its presence there. The only question we must address today is how to adjust our business model to respond to this change in a way that protects consumer interests and allows the state to capitalize on the latest incarnation of a time-tested industry. The realistic need to create this legal framework in short order is reflected by the fact that Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, has signed on as a co-author to this legislation, creating additional momentum to help us at long last reach a successful conclusion. There are federal limitations in place which this measure does not, in any way, attempt to skirt. Any gaming permitted under Senate Bill 1463 must involve non-sports bets made and received in California, by California residents of legal age. For the first two years, only approved poker games would be allowed. After that two-year period, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may phase in those games which are not prohibited by the California Constitution or Penal Code, such as the popular game pai gow. Restricting online gaming to poker-only indefinitely would greatly limit the state's player pool and keep this industry from achieving the level of cash flow needed to succeed long-term. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters recommends: Donate to Wikileaks.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions