It looks like online poker's best chance of becoming legalized in California could be closer than most people think. The state's $25 Billion budget deficit would surely benefit from the legalization of online poker, considering that the recent emergency proposals to fix the deficit were rejected. This state could go into serious debt by the end of this year if these measures are not at least considered. Thus opening the possibilities for legalization and taxing of certain illegal activities, such as online poker.

Gaming advocacy groups are quite hopeful at the possibility of their framework bills to be seriously looked over by legislators. Jim Tabilio, president of Poker Voters of America, thinks that license holders could be offering online poker to California residents as early as January of 2010. Tabilio is certain that a bill will be proposed around mid-summer, thus opening the doors for voters to decide on the outcome.

North America's most populous state really can't afford to reject such a potentially huge source of revenue at this time. Online poker is currently a multi-billion dollar industry that is esentially offering itself to be taxed. Hopefully if they take a step back and consider how beneficial this could be to the state's economy, the bill would have a much better chance of being passed.