The tribal group of Cahuilla Indians are making sure that no stones are left unturned in the promulgation of the controversial Senate Bill 40, which legalizes online gambling in the State of California.
Irked online gamblers and poker players see the moves taken by the tribe, as flimsy dilatory tactics aimed at delaying the legalization of online gambling. The California Online Poker Association, which supports the bill, calls for the immediate response of California in order to avoid further delays.
The Bill’s authors deem it best to legalize online gambling in order to generate revenue for the government. According to Senator Lou Correa, “Senate Bill 40 would generate $ 1.4 billion in the next ten years and provide 1300 employment opportunities”; but Jeff Grube of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs is of the opinion that the State should take its time in considering and drafting action in relation to this venture.
According to Grube, no successful action in this front could be derived even in the next couple of years. Agua Caliente through Grube proposes six demands that must first be met before they agree to Senate Bill 40—one of which is to limit the legalization of online gambling only to the game of poker. Grube added that going beyond that would threaten the exclusivity provisions of the State.
The public in general has mixed reactions on Grube’s point. Some question the distinction made of poker over other games. According to them, the elements of expectancy, luck and chances are present in all of the other games; if they are not against poker, why should they be against the other games? Some believe that the state loses millions for every year online gambling legislation is delayed.
The Cahuilla Indians, however, remain adamant that rushing legislation is not the best course of action.
