Online poker legalization in the cards?
BY MATT KAKLEY SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
State Rep. Dan Winslow says that allowing Internet poker companies into Massachusetts would bring high-tech jobs to the state.
Winslow-led amendment gets House approval
Bay State card sharks are a step closer to legally playing online poker at home after the House approved an amendment put forth by state Rep. Dan Winslow as part of an expanded gaming bill.
Winslow, R-Norfolk, said he was excited to see the amendment included in the final House version of the bill.
"We worked hard," he said Thursday. "It's an important first step for Massachusetts to take the lead on Internet poker."
Winslow says allowing Internet poker companies to base themselves in Massachusetts would bring high-tech jobs to the state, while also regulating the businesses and bringing in new revenue.
Though gaining the approval of the House Wednesday was a big first step, Winslow said the proposal must still survive debate in the Senate, a possible conference committee and a possible veto from Gov. Deval Patrick.
"I'm hopeful that it will (survive the hurdles)," Winslow said.
Under the proposal, a state gaming commission would be charged with coming up with the rules and regulations for five Internet poker licenses by July 31, 2012.
If the proposal is signed into law, Massachusetts would become the first state in the country to legalize online poker games, Winslow said.
Winslow said American players currently take part in games sponsored by about 1,700 foreign companies that are not regulated or monitored by the U.S. government.
He said the cat is already out of the bag as far as the games go, but adding the regulations would make the games safer for American players and keep some of the revenue within the state.
"We have Internet poker," he said. "We'd like to regulate it and get the revenue for local aid."