Everybody knows California is broke. Is that why they are looking to the state’s million strong online poker players as potential tax revenue? The proposed bill would bring legislation to the world of online poker for Californians and (as proponents argue) make the game safer. Of course, it will give this troubled state economy a much needed boost.

The proposed bill (Bill SB 1485) is being held up by numerous dissenters including the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. Many Native Americans in California feel the bill will encroach on their tribal profits. As many tribes rely heavily on the poker economy, competition could jeopardize health and human services programs on Californian reservations.

Some of the details of the bill in its current form include legal prosecution for those who try and play poker on illegal websites, 20 percent of gross poker income being turned over to the state, all poker players being 21 or older and the promotion of online California based poker sites. For many, the proposal is just too rigid. And of course, we all know this is coming about as a way to help the state make money not over any concern regarding poker playing.

I say the west coast folks should legalize marijuana and tax that rather than online poker. People will still buy pot. Kids will have much harder access to it as the illegal industry will fall by the wayside. With poker on the other hand, regulation and taxation will put a lot of players off and actually encourage players to try and cheat the system so they don’t have to pay taxes for practicing, and hopefully perfecting, a game of skill.

Many are still trying to get lawmakers to understand that poker is a skill game rather than a potential gambling revenue resource for fractured economies. I mean, would they tax and regulate the playing of online chess? Of course not.

Anyway, as it stands there are too many people grumbling about the bill in its current form for it to pass. More changes will be made and lawmakers will try again. I guess if at first you don’t succeed play another hand?

We’ll see what happens.