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AB-431 Gambling: Internet poker.(2015-2016)

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AB431:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 04, 2015

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2015–2016 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 431

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 amended, 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. declare the Legislature’s intent regarding the authorization of Internet poker within the borders of the state. The bill would require the Legislature, among other things, to include consumer protections for Californians in any Internet poker framework that may be adopted by the Legislature to authorize Internet poker in the state, to ensure that framework provides a fair share of revenue for the state, and to include strict standards in that framework to ensure that the Internet poker games are fair. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YESNO   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 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that any Internet poker framework that may be adopted by the Legislature to authorize Internet poker in the state be developed 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.).
(b) Any Internet poker framework shall contain consumer protections for Californians who seek to engage in a legal alternative to unlawful Internet poker, ensure a fair share of revenue for the state, and protect the public interest by ensuring that the various aspects of Internet poker are sanctioned and regulated by the state. The framework shall also provide mechanisms to address the negative impacts of Internet poker gambling and seek to provide economic benefits to California’s economy.
(c) A framework shall also include strict standards to ensure that the Internet poker games are fair, operated by qualified entities, and are played by persons of legal age who are located in California, using technologies to identify and restrict access by minors.

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.

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.