The Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California is fighting a bill to allow a non-Indian race track that also operates a card club to stay open.

Hollywood Park is the only race track with a card club. It's owned by a company that also owns a stake in the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“As the California Legislature pursues the legalization of online poker, this measure may be cited as precedent by other out-of-state, or even out-of-country gaming interests as a backdoor way to try and enter California’s market by simply purchasing an existing card club,” the tribe wrote in an opposition letter, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported.

Some non-Indian card clubs agree with the Morongo Band and have written their own opposition letter.

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GAMBLING: Tribes try to block legislation linked to former ballot foe (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 8/28)