The state of California has given its first green light to a legalised online poker industry by authorizing an intrastate poker system. Interestingly, the bill has been given urgency status, highlighting the need for California to find different sources of revenue as a top priority. By being granted this status, the bill only has to receive the signature of the governor in order to come into effect. Any bill not granted this status needs to wait until the beginning of 2011 to come into effect.
However, many online poker experts fear that the fact that any poker sites will limit uses to state residents only could mean a small player pool and true poker fans will still seek the services of the many respected offshore casino sites. However, the state still believes that by introducing a safe and regulated option for Californians, money will land in state coffers and poker fans will be able to make a calculated choice about their gaming options.