San Diegan Tony Sandstrom is circulating a statewide initiative that would create a California owned and operated internet poker site. The profits from this site would go to the State of California as well as to counties, cities, and towns, to repair highways, roads, and streets. Some profits would also be earmarked for to the California Gambling Addiction Fund to treat those with gambling problems.
"The politicians will not be permitted to divert these funds," said Sandstrom.
A California owned online poker site, according to Sandstrom, would be safe and generate revenue to benefit all Californians. "Net revenues could be $75 million or more," according to the initiative's author. Sandstrom believes that a California based internet poker site would solve perceived security issues with offshore sites and expand the player base. "The site would be open to all domestic and international players. However, it must be legal in the state or the country the player resides in."
Sandstrom, an online player himself, was inspired to write the initiative when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was rammed through Congress as a rider attached to the must pass Port Security Act.
Sandstrom is linking his success to online efforts. While volunteers might collect signatures, he expects most petitions to come from a web site, www.fixpotholes.org, established for this purpose. Reaction to the initiative is mixed. The California Teachers Association opposes the measure, fearing a decrease in funds from lottery. But Sandstrom believes the fiscal impact on these revenues would be insignificant because few lottery players also play poker.
Indian tribes are taking a wait and see approach. This initiative gives the right to the State and federally recognized Indian tribes to reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement regarding online poker sites.
Anyone in grassroots politics will tell you it's a longshot to qualify an initiative for the ballot, even tougher to see it become law, and only time will tell if the State of California will enter the poker business.
