Churchill Downs secures California partnerships
Online horserace wagering operator has partnered with the Oceans 11 Casino and Crystal Casino to launch an online poker platform in CaliforniaÂ
Churchill Downs has secured a route into the California online poker market if and when enabling legislation gets across the line after striking a partnership with two land-based casinos in the state. [private]
The Kentucky-based online horserace wagering operator confirmed to eGR North America this morning that it âhas an agreement in placeâ with the Oceans 11 Casino and the Crystal Casino, as first revealed by Online Poker Report.
Churchill Downs, which recently acquired social gaming giant Big Fish Games for $885m, did not say whether it was developing its own poker platform or would acquire or white-label.
The operator becomes the latest to confirm its land-based partner in the state, with PokerStars joining forces with the San Manuel and Morongo tribes and three of the stateâs largest card rooms.
Bwin.party also has a deal in place with the United Auburn tribe, while Caesars Interactive has a long-standing partnership with the Rincon tribe.
While legislation has struggled to gain traction in California for a number of years, the state recently made âhistoricâ progress with a bill being voted on and passing out of Committee for the first time.
But the legislation is known as a âplaceholder billâ with no specific language over license fees, taxes, âbad actorâ clauses and eligible licensees.
Those details will be debated during a number of hearings over the coming weeks, and will be a true indicator of whether the state will make progress towards legalizing online poker.