There are rumblings in the poker legal community that due to New Jersey’s toe dragging, Florida may beat it to the poll in the race to be the first state to legalize intrastate online poker.  Florida Rep. Joseph Abruzzo has introduced legislation to be heard on March 8th that, if passed, could be effective by July 2011.  Come on now!  Don’t be greedy.  Florida already has legal brick-and-mortar poker all over the state.  Now online poker in one of the most populated states in the country?  This just isn’t fair.  Spread the wealth.

Add Iowa to the growing list (NJ, Cali, etc.) of states actively considering legalizing intrastate online poker.  But don’t abandon the corn fields for the poker felt just yet.  Many in Iowa are fiercely against poker (read:  gambling) and will actively voice their opposition.  Plus, the bill is in a primitive stage.  Still, love the momentum building across the country.  Let’s just hope it holds once the economy rebounds (and tax revenues go back up).

Word is that due to intricate New Jersey rules, the deadline for Governor Christie to sign or veto the online intrastate poker legislation is March 3 (not late February as previously reported).  Word also is that the biggest force lobbying against the legislation is Caesar’s, which views online poker as a thorn in its live poker/gambling coffers.  Or, at the very least, wants to base its online operations out of a state other than New Jersey if federal legislation (or a tweaked NJ bill) is passed. 

[Thanks to the ACweekly.com for some of this information.]

The PPA has reported that Representative John Campbell (R-CA) is set to introduce legislation to Congress that would license and regulate internet poker.  The bill, drafted in conjunction with Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), would eliminate the 15-month blackout period and tweak other provisions of previously introduced legislation.  Rep. Campbell is not a complete newcomer to this field.  He introduced an amendment to Rep. Frank’s legislation last term that would, among other things, enhance protections against underage gambling.  His amendment was approved by a voice vote.  While this is a very early development, it is a positive development nonetheless.  Get excited!  Even if it is an emotional rollercoaster.

Updating perhaps the most interesting story taking shape these days in the poker legislation arena, as we reported on previously, Gov. Christie has until February 25th to veto legislation that would legalize online intrastate poker in New Jersey.  If he fails to veto it, the bill becomes law.  Even if he vetos it, the legislature can (and likely will) override the veto.  The big issue is how involved Gov. Christie wants to be, both on behalf of New Jersey and in relation to his increasing national political visibility (read: the presidency).  Bottom line my fellow poker playing ladies and gents, we’re 12 days removed from bottling our favorite New Jersey “garden” state jokes and hitting the MLS listings for Teaneck.  As promised, we will continue to update this developing story (always wanted to write that) as, well, developments happen.

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) is expected to announce that he will retire at the end of his term in 2012.  As I’m sure you know, Sen. Kyl is an arch opponent of online poker and a staunch supporter of the UIGEA.  His retirement opens the door for a friendlier voice to take his important committee seats and, equally important, a more welcoming candidate to win his seat in Congress.  This is a terrific development for poker.

New Jersey — We’re still waiting for Gov. Christie’s signature…

Maryland — Legislation was introduced recently that would legalize live table games.   The legislation would let the voters decide if they want the games or not.

Italy — Delays in enacting online gaming continue.  But unlike in the U.S., there appears to be no doubt that gaming is coming.  It’s just a matter of ironing out the wrinkles and getting the sites operational.  Check out the developments here.

Governor Christie has yet to sign into law the recently-passed legislation that would make New Jersey the first state to legalize intrastate online poker.  Updates from PLB will come as they occur.

Hot on the heels of the progress in New Jersey toward legalizing intrastate online poker, Nevada has hired a consulting firm to evaluate the considerations of Nevada passing its own legislation.  I wonder it Nevada is concerned more about NJ or talk that its neighbor, California, which also already has legal live poker, too is considering legalizing the virtual kind.  As I’ve said before here though kids, be careful what you wish for:  what seems good today may seem like a horrid idea 20 years from now.  Just imagine a world with 50 separate online poker bases but no cross-state competition.  Does not sound like good games or player base growth to me.  Don’t want to me a player hater, but just saying…