CTBA opposes bid to legalize Internet poker

Thursday, August 13, 2009  

The California Tribal Business Alliance opposes efforts to legalize Internet poker for tribes and non-Indian card clubs in California.

The CTBA sent a letter to state lawmakers that questions the proposal. The group says Internet gaming would disrupt the tribal-state compact.

"We are particularly concerned with the concept of moving tribal government gaming off tribal reservations and outside the framework of federal law and tribal-state gaming compacts," the letter stated, Capitol Weekly reported.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians and some non-Indian card clubs are lobbying to legalize Internet poker by the end of this year. Other tribes are involved in the effort but a Morongo spokesperson declined to say how many or to identify them.

Another group, the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, hasn't taken a position on the issue. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians are staying out of the debate for now.

CTBA is made up of seven tribes that are represented by the same attorney.

Get the Story:
One tribe proposing legalization of Internet poker in California (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 8/13)
Tribes, card clubs looking to offer Internet poker in California (Capitol Weekly 8/13)