Free Online Poker Launched in California

Things are beginning to change in the world of online gambling in California, as the possibility of federal or state legislators legalizing online poker causes industry insiders to think about the future.

The California Online Poker Association this week announced it is launching several free online poker rooms, in the hope of attracting the estimated two million Californian residents who already play poker online through interstate-based websites. The first site is called CalShark.com - it is operated by Playtech, but does not allow real-money poker.

The poker association, a grouping of poker room owners and Indian casino operators, is planning to use these free poker rooms for branding, and to develop a database of potential future customers in the event real-money online poker is legalized.

A bill to regulate online poker sites stalled in the California legislature this year, but Senate President Darrell Steinberg has announced that new hearing will be held in January, with the purpose of holding a vote on the issue early next year, local newspapers report.

ccording to a recent poll on the issue, 53 percent of all California voters are in favor of legislating online gambling with proceeds to be used as tax revenue. That's a majority of Californians who see the clear benefits of legal online poker.