The so-called 'bad actor' clause could be altered when a fresh internet poker bill is presented in the US state of California in the next legislative session.

Internet poker bills from California Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer and Senator Joe Correa were introduced by their authors in February this year, but ultimately scrapped earlier this month.

However, Jones-Sawyer has suggested that the controversial bad actor clause – which excluded any operator or market affiliate involved in online gaming in the US after December 31, 2006 from applying for a licence – might be reworded for the 2015-16 legislative session.

The bad actor clause would have shut PokerStars out of the market, but several tribes are already partners of the biggest online poker website in the world.

"We must make sure that any 'Bad Actor Language' is written so that it is applied fairly, and avoids any possible future legal challenges," Jones-Sawyer said, according to the OnlinePoker.net news website.

"It is my hope that during the next few months we can continue the dialogue with all the interested principals so that there is a clear consensus and mutual agreement as to who will be able to participate in providing internet poker to our citizens.

"We have come a long way. But we have to be patient, so we can get this right. Setting a standard in California that will be an example for the entire nation is my ultimate goal."

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