Legalized online gambling sought in Calif. bill [San Francisco Chronicle]
"...Ultimately, just a few websites are expected to go live. That's because of a proposed $30 million license fee - which would be credited against the 10 percent cut of gross revenue - and the expectation that consumers will flock to only about a half-dozen well-marketed sites.
The result is alliance building. Dozens of tribal casinos and cardrooms, including Pete's 881 Club, joined the California Online Poker Association, which recently started a free online poker site called Calshark.com as a way to work out the kinks and start building a brand.
Josh Rubinstein, senior vice president of development for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in San Diego County, said the state's tracks and horse owners may team up on one website..."
"...Another major sticking point in the proposed legislation, especially for tribal casinos, is a provision that would allow the state to phase in other games besides poker after two years.
"For the tribes I represent, this is a nonstarter," said David Quintana, a lobbyist for the California Tribal Business Alliance. "You have a high likelihood it will have an impact on our brick-and-mortar facilities."..."