California tribes divided on Internet poker bid

Thursday, August 20, 2009  

Another California tribe has entered the debate over a proposal to legalize Internet poker in the state.

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians opposes the proposal "out of concerns for the far-reaching legal, political and policy consequences of an expansion of this magnitude," Chairman Marc Macarro said in a letter to fellow tribal leaders. He included the results of a survey that showed voters don't support Internet gaming.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has joined with some non-Indian card clubs to promote Internet poker as a way to generate revenues for the state. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association voted 8-1-5 to support the proposal, Victor Rocha of Pechanga.Net reported on his Twitter.

The California Tribal Business Alliance opposes the bill. "I guarantee this bill is going nowhere in the next four weeks," lobbyist David Quintana told The Capitol Weekly. "The opposition has broadened."

Get the Story:
Pechanga opposes legalizing online poker (The North County Times 8/20)
Pechanga chairman opposes online gambling (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 8/20)
Online poker proposal taking hits (Capitol Weekly 8/20)