California is set to start their own online poker soon if the state's legislators get their wish. The bill authorising an intrastate online poker network was introduced on Friday and when passed, it will go into effect urgently because of the budget crisis in the state.


The bill proposes a license system where the state's Department of Justice awards up to three 5-year licenses to California-based operators to run online poker for state residents only.

California is in urgent need of tax revenue because of the budget deficit which is set to reach 19 billion dollars this year. The state's senate will vote on the law on June 1, the same date when the UIGEA will go into full effect. After the law is passed in the senate and the governor has signed, it will go into effect immediately.

Florida and New Jersey are also making plans for their own online poker to collect new tax revenue.

Source: EGR Magazine.