76% Of California Residents Favor Online Poker

A research study released by the California Online Poker Association on Monday revealed that 76% of residents in the Golden State favor legalized online poker.

The survey was released as State Bill 1463, which would legalize online poker within the borders of California, is set to be debated by California's Senate Governmental Organization Committee. The bill is being supported by many of the state's horse racing tracks, the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, as well as the United Auburn Indian Community.

The COPA survey shows that while citizens are in favor of online poker, they do not want to see other online casino games offered for real play. Citizens also feel that online gambling operations should be restricted to gambling firms already doing business within the state.

33% of those surveyed said that they would support “betting on social games that you play on your computer or Smartphone, such as Farmville or Angry Birds, which currently do not permit gambling for real money.”

Ben Tulchin, who served as a pollster in this survey commented on the results, saying: “Voters don’t want California to become the Wild West of gaming. Voters are OK with permitting it. But there have to be restrictions.”