BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 431
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Date of Hearing: May 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
431 (Gray) - As Amended May 4, 2015
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|Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|20 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill declares the intent of the Legislature to authorize
Internet poker in California and adopt a legal and regulatory
framework that complies with federal law. The bill declares the
framework shall include strict standards to ensure the fairness
and integrity of the games, appropriate consumer protections,
fair revenue for the state, safeguards against underage play,
and mechanisms to address negative impacts of Internet poker
gambling.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 431
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Substantial costs, likely in the tens of millions of dollars
annually to the General and Special Funds, to several agencies
including the Gambling Control Commission, Department of
Justice, Franchise Tax Board, law enforcement, child welfare
services, and others, to develop regulations and standards,
monitor, and enforce the framework around Internet poker. Over
time, some or all of those costs may be offset through licensing
and fee revenue.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, the intent of this bill is to
assist the Legislature to further consider a legislative
framework to authorize intrastate Internet poker. The author
claims over a million Californians are playing Internet poker on
sites run by offshore companies that are not regulated or
licensed by any US government entity.
Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 431
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