BILL NUMBER: AB 431	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gray
   (Principal coauthor: Senator Hall)

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2015

   An act to add Chapter 5.2 (commencing with Section 19990.101) to
Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to
gambling.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 431, as introduced, Gray. Gambling: Internet poker.
   Existing law, the Gambling Control Act, provides for the licensure
and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and
establishments by the California Gambling Control Commission and the
investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments
by the Department of Justice.
   This bill would authorize the operation of an Internet poker Web
site within the borders of the state. The bill would require the
commission, in consultation with the department, to promulgate
regulations for intrastate Internet poker. The bill would require
those regulations to include, but not be limited to, a licensing
process for an individual or entity to become an operator of an
Internet poker Web site and rules for the operation of an Internet
poker Web site.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares both of the
following:
   (a) In October 2006, the United States Congress passed the
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) (31 U.S.C.
Secs. 5361 et seq.), which generally prohibits the use of banking
instruments, including credit cards, checks, and fund transfers, for
interstate Internet gambling.
   (b) UIGEA essentially prohibits online gambling by United States
citizens, but includes exceptions that permit individual states to
create a regulatory framework to enable intrastate Internet gambling,
if the bets or wagers are made exclusively within a single state
under certain circumstances.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 5.2 (commencing with Section 19990.101) is added
to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 5.2.  AUTHORIZED INTRASTATE INTERNET POKER



      Article 1.  General Provisions


   19990.101.  An Internet poker Web site authorized pursuant to this
chapter may be operated within the borders of the state in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including, but
not limited to, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of
2006 (31 U.S.C. Secs. 5361 et seq.).

      Article 2.  Definitions


   19990.201.  For purposes of this chapter, the following
definitions apply:
   (a) "Commission" means the California Gambling Control Commission.

   (b) "Department" means the Department of Justice.

      Article 3.  Administration


   19990.301.  The commission, in consultation with the department,
shall promulgate regulations for intrastate Internet poker. These
regulations shall include, but not be limited to, both of the
following:
   (a) A licensing process for an individual or entity to become an
operator of an Internet poker Web site.
   (b) Rules for the operation of an Internet poker Web site.