The California Online Poker Association, otherwise known as COPA, has fought hard for two years to try and see online poker regulated in the state of California. However, the group has now stated that they are folding their hand. The coalition, created of Indian tribes of California, announced they are dissolving their group as of yesterday.
Ryan Hightower, a spokesperson for the group, stated in a press release: “The decision was based upon insufficient progress within the legislature toward the passage of an online poker bill. COPA’s members continue to believe that the authorization of intrastate internet poker would provide California with hundreds of millions in new state revenue, thousands of new jobs and vital protections for players.”
The COPA group was created two years ago as a coalition of tribes in the state of California as well as local card rooms. The group worked hard to be a strong voice for online poker in the state. COPA worked on state efforts to legalize online poker as well as the regulation of intrastate online poker.
COPA members as well as tribes have had mixed feelings about the two online poker bills that have come forth since their formation. The legalization of online poker seems to be null and void in the Sacramento area and members are not happy that their efforts have not been fruitful.
Hightower further commented that the group believed that they would disband if lawmakers in the state of California did not approve online poker legislation by the beginning of 2013. COPA proved to be a big spender when it came to lobbying in 2012 and they managed to spend more than such groups as Chevron and the California Teachers Association. The group spent over $1.2 million in just the first six months of 2012.
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