Morongo Tribe Online Poker Shelved

Published: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Online-Casinos.com

According to a report in The Desert Sun newspaper from Palm Springs California USA that after consultation with other tribes The Morongo Band of Mission Indians announced it would stop its efforts to legalize Internet poker, for the time being.

A spokesman for the tribe, Patrick Dorinson, said, "Some concerns have been raised, and we want to make sure we address those concerns so this can benefit everyone" adding, "We are going to redouble our efforts and present this in January to the state legislature.

Clearly, this is an issue that will have to be dealt with" Dorinson said. "The federal government is looking at this issue" because it is estimated that millions upon millions of dollars annually is lost to illegal, offshore Web sites. "Illegal gambling is already happening in California, and we need to make sure there's regulatory protections for consumers" he continued, "We need to make sure that California gets its share of the prize."

Waltona Manion, a former spokesperson for the Morongo tribe but now speaking on behalf of the California card rooms, said the postponement decision was made to ensure legislators and California tribes are properly informed and have a chance to examine the issue fully. The two groups have differing views as a rule but have teamed their efforts to get the legislators to understand that regulation is required to stem the flow of funds offshore.

Political director for the California Tribal Business Alliance, David Quintana, said, "This postponement might bring about a much broader discussion, a full and honest debate with more stakeholders taking a part in it."

Tribal leaders make it clear that the effort is highly sensitive at the moment. Consensus on issues is difficult to achieve most times. Three meetings with the California Nations Indian Gaming Association have failed to get anywhere with tribal leaders not willing to move forward on proposals for legislative change.