California reimbursed the Entertainment Software Association on Tuesday in the amount of $282,794 for attorney"s fees related to the defense against an illegal anti-game law.

“California deserves more from its legislators than pursuing flawed legislation. State employees are facing pay cuts. California’s services are being scaled back. And, anxiety is rising in Sacramento to find funds,“ said ESA CEI Michael Gallagher in a statement.

“Rather than tackling real problems affecting Californians, they chose to waste time, money and state resources. It is shameful that legislators pursued personal agendas in spite of the facts.”

In August 2007, Judge Ronald M. Whyte ruled to enjoin enforcement of a state videogame law that would regulate sales of mature games to minors.

The law attempted to link videogames with real-world violence, but no court has found hard evidence of such a correlation.

Judge Whyte said games, just like movies and books, are protected by the First Amendment.

California is appealing the ruling. “It is unfortunate that the state is stubbornly pursuing an appeal that is likely to lead to even more court-awarded fees,” Gallagher added.

California is the latest in a line of states that have had to pay the games industry back for attorney"s fees. Previous states include Minnesota, Louisiana and Illinois.