Robert Martin, the chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California, testified at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Thursday.

Martin opposed H.R. 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act, and H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. He said tribes will lose business if online gaming is legalized.

A 2006 act of Congress bans online gaming but the legislation delays enforcement by one year. Martin said the federal government should take action now.

“Jobs are being lost and capital is fleeing our shores every day the 2006 Act fails to be enforced," Martin told the committee, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.

This fall, the Morongo Band opposed legislation in California that would allow tribes and non-Indian card clubs to engage in Internet poker. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 contains exceptions for state- and tribal-sanctioned Internet gaming.

Get the Story:
Tribal head opposes online gambling (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 12/4)

House Financial Services Hearing:
H.R. 2266, Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act, and H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (December 3, 2009)