Business Deals | California

Morongo Band announces partnership for Internet poker game

Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California announced an Internet poker partnership.

The tribe and the three largest non-Indian card clubs in the state will own and operate a poker website if online wagering is legalized. PokerStars agreed to develop and host the site.

"We’re pleased to announce our agreement with these established and proven organizations that represent millions of California poker players,” Morongo Chairman Robert Martin said in a press release. “We’re confident that, together, we can offer a safe, secure, high-quality online poker experience that brings financial benefits to California while providing the highest level of accountability, choice, service and protection for consumers.”

PokerStars was shut down in 2011 as part of a settlement with the Obama administration. Other tribes have said the company should not be allowed to do business in California.

The announcement came as the California Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization held a hearing on Internet gaming. Martin and other tribal leaders testified.

Get the Story:
PokerStars Announces Agreement With Tribal and Cardroom Partners to Offer Online Poker in California (Online Poker Report 4/23)
PokerStars Announces Major California Online Poker Agreement (4Flush.Com 4/24)
PokerStars eyes California with Morongo and card clubs partnership (iGamingBusiness 4/24)

An Opinion:
Dan Morain: All the Big Shots showed up for Internet poker hearing (The Sacramento Bee 4/24)