"California is the home to 107 federally recognized Indian tribes, and the authorization of intrastate online gaming is a policy issue that has generated some disagreement among some of us in Indian country. But the disagreement is not about the issue of legalizing Internet poker itself, but rather about the unintended consequences of sloppy legislation and the appropriate way to head into the online gaming future.

Last year, online poker legislation stalled, and we were opposed to a bill like Senate Bill 40 because it was not open and fair, nor did it do enough to protect tribal sovereignty, existing gaming compacts and tribal economies.

For the record, California Tribal Business Alliance does not oppose the legalization of Internet poker. But we do believe it is critical for the California Legislature to exercise its due diligence and consult with tribal governments before moving forward with a policy that will significantly alter the gaming landscape in California, as well as impact agreements among tribal, state and local governments."

Get the Story:
Robert Smith / California Tribal Business Alliance: Legislature should consult tribes in considering Internet poker law (The Sacramento Bee 11/19)

Also Today:
Tribe voices opposition to online gaming (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 11/19)
Gambling measure concerns Tribe (The Coeur d'Alene Press 11/19)
In debate of online poker, lawmakers invoke Prohibition, Abramoff scandal (The Las Vegas Sun 11/18)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee considers Internet gambling (11/18)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee to consider Internet gaming (11/15)