California explores legalizing Internet poker

California lawmakers are toying with the idea of legalizing Internet poker as a way to raise revenue for the state.

Proponents found an unusual backer in the request; the Morongo Band of Mission Indians who operate the Morongo Casino near Cabazon, about 20 miles west of Palm Springs.

“Each week, millions of Californians are playing Internet poker,” said Robert Martin, Morongo’s tribal council chairman. “All that money goes offshore; not one dime stays here in the state.”

A California Senate committee held an informational hearing on the idea, but a formal bill hasn’t been proposed. Backers believe in-state sites licensed by California could compete with Internet gaming industry.

Sen. Roderick Wright, D-Los Angeles warned of one aspect.

“Clearly whatever we do will end up in court,'' he told the Desert Sun.

Warwick Bartlett, the founder and chief executive officer of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, an international gambling consultant, predicted California could capture tax revenues of $650 million over the next five years if the state were legalize Internet poker.

In an email, Bartlett said California’s share of the U.S. Internet poker market was about $448 million in 2009 with 778,000 active accounts.

“Our experience in regulated markets shows that legalization and control is a more effective government policy than prohibition because technology will always be ahead of law which historically reacts to changing circumstances which legislators cannot predict,” Bartlett said.