Tribal Gaming Groups Lobby Against Frank Online Gambling Bill

[CareyG]

Tribal Gaming Groups Lobby Against Frank Online Gambling Bill

Anti-gaming special interests like the NFL and church groups are not the only opponents of Barney Frank's measure to regulate online gambling, as many tribal casino operators are worried about losing exclusivity.

While there has been much coverage of the evangelical religious organizations and sports leagues opposing Barney Frank's proposal to regulate online gambling, other special interests working hard to block the opening of the US gaming market have received less coverage. Among the well-heeled foes of Internet casinos are many of the nation's tribal casinos, who are looking to maintain their near-monopoly on gambling in my regions.

It has been discussed that some land casino operators, such as Steve Wynn, are adamantly against any acceptance of online gambling, while others, such as Harrah's Entertainment, have warmed to the subject as their company interests have shifted to make Internet gaming a potential boon for them.

The powerful lobby of Indian gaming has remained largely under the radar, but statements this week to Indian Country Today make it clear that wealthy tribal interests are trying to prevent US residents from exercising the right to bet online.

“The recent drive by members of Congress to legalize Internet casino gambling nationwide represents the greatest threat to Indian gaming in the last 20 years,” says Daniel Tucker, chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

The Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations is officially opposed to Frank's regulatory bill. Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians says a movement to legalize intrastate online poker in California is "a Trojan horse for the wholesale expansion of non-Indian, off-reservation gambling.”

Other tribes are taking a more cautious approach, but all want to be assured that federally regulated online gambling will have no impact or effects on tribal compacts or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

Some experts argue that Internet gambling is largely dominated by online poker and sports betting, and would not draw customers from tribal casinos. But many tribes are not willing to risk their exclusive licenses to print money that Indian casinos have effectively become.

Still, gaming experts say that Internet gambling regulation will. eventually happen on a federal scakle, and that tribal casinos should adopt a strategy used by retailers like Wal-Mart and Sears, utilizing the Internet to expand markets rather than resisting hange. In the meantime, lobbyists pour money into Washington to fight against giving residents the liberty to make their own choices as to their gambling entertainment.

Published on March 11, 2010 by JoshuaMcCarthy Source

[judyb57]

Well yeah, I knew the Tribal Gaming Groups would be against it since most of the land casinos not located in Nevada are run by the different tribes. They do not want to lose any of their business to online gambling. I agree though that need to join the online gaming scene!

[CALizzz]

Well I just hope for a resonable out come for the indiginous tribes!! I stand for online gambling, but I would stand with the original peoples before I would get behind corportate, corupt america and the Steve Winns and Barney Googles of this world!!