Tribes Reach Agreement on Internet Poker in California: Opposition Remains

California’s 13 tribes have reached an agreement to allow real money online poker in the state after five years of standoff.  The catch: Only current brick and mortar casinos will be permitted to operate on the Web and that remains a sticking point with other key groups.

“In achieving consensus for Internet poker, we reaffirm our commitment to the longstanding principle of limited gaming that has guided California’s public policy toward gaming,” the 13 tribes said in a letter to state lawmakers. “As importantly, we recommit ourselves to realizing legislation that protects children and the vulnerable, creates jobs for Californians, provides additional revenues for state services, and safeguards consumers and the vulnerable from dishonest and unsuitable operators.”

The letter was sent to the two politicians who co-authored legislation that would permit online poker in the Golden State, state Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles).

If only it were that easy.

A coalition that includes Morongo, PokerStars, Bicycle Club and Commerce Club are not in agreement with the 13 tribes, all of whom want to exclude the world’s largest real money online poker room, PokerStars.

“Efforts by a select few interests to rewrite longstanding and effective policy in order to gain a competitive market advantage or to lock out specific companies is not in the best interests of consumers or the state and will be vigorously opposed by our coalition, online poker players and many others,” the coalition said in a statement.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com