California online poker bill set back after tribe row 09/09/2009
A BILL ENABLING intrastate online poker in California will now not be presented to the state legislature until January next year, after the tribe spearheading the proposal withdrew it following strong opposition from other gaming tribes.
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians had been seeking a sponsor for a five-page draft bill to create a centralised online poker website for customers within California borders, in order to expedite the proposal through the legislature by the end of the legislative year this Friday.
However, the Morongo announced yesterday the proposal had been taken off the table following opposition by other major California gaming tribes, including the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Pechenga Band of Mission Indians. The Pechenga also published the results of an independent poll showing 61% of 802 randomly selected registered California voters opposed legalising internet poker.
Morongo spokesman Patrick Dorinson told California newspaper The Desert Sun: “In our consultations with other tribes, some concerns have been raised, and we want to make sure we address those concerns so this can benefit everyone,” Dorinson said. “We are going to redouble our efforts, and present this in January to the legislature.”
The California Senate leader Darrell Steinberg had already cautioned that it was unlikely an enabling bill would be passed during this legislative session as this would not give the California legislature sufficient time to properly examine the proposal.
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Posted: 09/09/2009
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Anonymous
The quote below is emblematic of what was wrong with the proposed Morongo monopoly.
“Today’s judgement must also be seen in the context of the increasing number of member states that are now in the process of rethinking and redrafting their gaming legislation. As has been obvious for all other consumer markets before, none of the member states currently drafting legislation has chosen a monopoly model to regulate this modern internet-based market. “
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