Online Poker Shelved
September 14, 2009
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has decided to hold off on their efforts to get online gambling legalized in the state of California. The tribe has been working with the state to try and get online gambling, specifically online poker, legalized within the state. However, according to a recent report, the tribe is stopping its efforts.
The tribe says that there have been concerns raised by the legalization of online gambling in the state, and they feel that they need to address those concerns before they can move forward. They say that they are not stopping their efforts completely; rather they are working towards presenting it to the state Legislature in January.
They say that as illegal online gambling is already happening in California, they want to ensure that there are protections for those who participate within the state. They say that the federal government is also looking at the possibilities of legalizing and regulating online gambling because of the millions of dollars that are lost to offshore websites.
They say that their postponement is simply that, and nothing more. They still plan on trying to get online gambling legalized within the state, but feel that if they hold off for now, they will be able to have a “full and honest debate" when they do present it. Both the legislatures and the California tribes will be working together to examine the issue fully and come to an understanding as to what is needed in order to make it successful. They say that by postponing it they are ensuring that all of the kinks are worked out of it before they move forward.
