Today’s joint California Assembly-Senate hearing on online poker by the Governmental Organization committees appears to have steered clear of overt vested interests to focus on information from expert witnesses.
The witness list presented by chairmen Sen.Isadore Hall and Assemblyman Adam Gray includes:
Anita Lee, Senior Fiscal & Policy Analyst from the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office;
Four members of the California Department of Justice, and
Representatives of the California Gambling Control Commission, United Auburn Indian Community Tribal Gaming Commission, California Horse Racing Board and California State Lottery.
Online poker will be very much in the state spotlight this week, with the hearing followed by a more general discussion organised by the Capitol Weekly and the University of California. This will be an opportunity for industry leaders and a wide variety of other interested parties to air their views.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with delegates in Sacramento for these events, Pokerstars has arranged practical demonstrations in the area on internet poker consumer and fraud precautions, hosted by two widely respected professional players, Jason Somerville and Daniel Negreanu (see previous reports).