Tribal leaders and lobbyists discussed Internet gaming at the recent Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

Online gaming on the state and federal level is inevitable, panelists agreed. But just how it will impact existing tribal casinos and Class III gaming compact is anybody's guess.

"We need to look at this as a whole. The tribes are not saying no, but we’re saying let’s look at this because we all know once something is passed, there’s no do-over,” said Leslie Lohse, the chairwoman of the California Tribal Business Alliance and the treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, Indian Country Today reported.

Many observers are waiting on Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), the Senate majority leader, and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), the Senate minority whip, to reveal an online poker bill they are said to be drafting. Tribes don't seem to be involved in the process.

“We can’t say we had a lot of influence on what’s been transpiring in that bill," Valerie Spicer, the executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association, said at the panel, ICT reported.

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G2E: Internet Gaming Is Inevitable, but Many Questions Remain (Indian Country Today 10/9)