The new California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and Consumer Protection Act builds on the support generated in the Legislature for last year's study bill introduced by then-Assemblyman Lloyd Levine. Levine's historic legislation passed the Assembly and two Senate Committees before being withdrawn in the middle of California's budget crisis last August.

The new bill authorizes the establishment of a legal online poker network for California and directs California authorities implement the network as quickly as possible. This model proposal would provide historic consumer protections for California's online players. It would also generate tens of millions of dollars in annual revenues for California to help ease the worst budget crisis in state history.

Poker Voters of America continues to serve as the official citizen sponsor of the legislation, working with representatives of the Governor, Attorney General; legislative leadership and other state officials to help expedite an agenda and timeline for consideration and passage of California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and Consumer Protection Act.

Poker Voters also continues to seek out the expertise and advice of the broadest possible range of those experienced in the gaming industry in order to help create an open process that allows state officials to produce the best possible bill for final passage.

The goals of Poker Voters in supporting AB 2026 include legislation that:

CONFORMS to Federal law to allow the fastest possible startup time for California intrastate online poker operations;

PROTECTS California players by licensing legal, secure and regulated alternatives to offshore online poker;

INCORPORATES input from California citizens, law enforcement and gaming experts to insure that California's legal intrastate sites are competitive and economically viable;

GENERATES the highest level of revenue for the state, while providing maximum protection and security for players.