In this week’s Calling the Clock we bring you news of an 18-0 vote for California’s latest online poker bill, the World Series of Poker reveal digital changes, and much more.

I have no idea how close California are to implementing a fully regulated and licensed online poker market, but the news that Adam Gray’s AB 2863 bill received 18 thumbs up, and not one thumb down, in the state Assembly Governmental Organization Committee on Wednesday, must be positive news, right?

Gray still has a lot of work to do. The racing sector, once a thorn in online poker’s side, is now a supporter after Gray’s bill promised to gift wrap a $60m annual kickback if they turned from dissenter to supporter. But there is still a lot of work to do in finalising the wording around the ‘bad actor’ clause hastily including this week. Until that elephant in the room is squeezed out of a door of Alice in Wonderland proportions, I’m afraid status quo remains.

It’s not all bad news for Americans. They can still buy guns at Walmart, and play online poker in Nevada. If they head over there during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) this summer, they will have the opportunity to compete in over 500 online tournaments, win an online bracelet, and take home a share of $2m in guaranteed prize money.