California Tribes Opposed to Online Poker
Nine California tribes sent correspondence Monday to the Senate Governmental Organization Committee opposing intrastate Internet poker. The committee is giving consideration to online poker, and is meeting with card club interests and tribes, including the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Cabazon.
The letter from the tribes started, "we are writing to state our strong opposition." The chairmen of the following tribes signed it: Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians near Temecula, Jackson Rancheria of MiWuk Indians, Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, United Auburn Indian Community, and the Viejas Band Kumeyaay Indians.
Proponents of online poker argue that the venture will financially benefit the state. The Morongo Band, which owns Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Central Riverside County, has been pushing for the law to allow online poker for months. Their argument is that millions of gamblers already play online, and that making it legal will create revenue for the cash-starved state.
If the Morongo Indians get their way, California will become the first state in the country to permit and regulate Internet poker. However, the letter from the nine-tribe coalition cautioned legislators that the plan will not generate the windfall promised by supporters, and will in fact cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. This is because legalization will allow tribes to stop paying the state its $365-million annual cut of slot machine revenue.
