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The poker world is heralding congressional bill HR 2267 as the way that online poker finally gets regulated and legalized. Or so everyone thought. Now it has been revealed that several casinos in California, including the Commerce and Bicycle Casinos have stepped forward in opposition of the bill.

The Commerce pissed off many, but do they care?

Basically, the Commerce Casino board claims that jobs, revenues, and taxes would be shipped overseas. They also claim that the PPA and other groups like it are “special interest groups receiving funds from illegal offshore gaming operators.” The Bike, Hawaiian Gardens, and Hollywood Park all have been said to back the Commerce’s play in opposing the bill.

A lot of outrage has come out from players, including a petition from players asking that the Commerce rescind their opposition. While, I understand their outrage, I can also see the REAL reason the casinos do not want online poker to be regulated.

Think about it. When online poker becomes regulated, there will naturally be a new influx of online players, both returning and new player. This is going to affect live casinos. That is what the Commerce, Bike, etc are looking at.

Online poker regulation is good for the game and for the players. For the brick and mortar casinos as a whole, not so much. When I say as a whole, I am grouping in casinos such as Hollywood Park and Hawaiian Gardens that probably would not be able to take advantage of the new influx of online poker players. Some casinos will be able to take advantage, but many are going to be hurt.

And as far as pros speaking out against the Commerce’s stance, other than the PR hit that they might take, how much of an impact is that going to have? Yes, you may lose a few higher profile players. That might affect the Commerce. However, how much is that really going to affect the Bike, HG, or Hollywood Park. I couldn’t tell you one player of significance that plays at HG or Hollywood Park.

While I understand the outrage, people need to understand that the opposition is coming from a purely business standpoint. In reality, they could give a damn about what a few higher profile players think. In the end, they care about the bottom line.