While there was much coverage of the evangelical religious organizations and sports leagues opposing Barney Frank's proposal to control online gambling, other special interests working hard to dam the outlet of the U.S. gaming market have received less coverage. A number of the well-heeled foes of Internet casinos are a few of the nation's tribal casinos, who're trying to maintain their near-monopoly on gambling in my regions.It have been discussed that some land casino operators, corresponding to Steve Wynn, are adamantly against any acceptance of online gambling, while others, comparable to Harrah's Entertainment, have warmed to the topic as their company interests have shifted to make Internet gaming a possible 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 attempting to stop US residents from exercising the precise to bet online.
“The recent drive by members of Congress to legalize Internet casino gambling nationwide represents the best threat to Indian gaming within 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 against 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 Computer virus for the wholesale expansion of non-Indian, off-reservation gambling.”
Other tribes are taking a more cautious approach, but all need to be assured that federally regulated online gambling may have no impact or effects on tribal compacts or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
Some experts argue that Internet gambling is basically dominated by online poker and sports betting, and wouldn't draw customers from tribal casinos. But many tribes aren't 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 technique utilized by retailers like Wal-Mart and Sears, utilizing the web to expand markets in place of resisting hange. Within the meantime, lobbyists pour money into Washington to fight against giving residents the freedom to make their very own choices as to their gambling entertainment.
Published on March 11, 2010 by JoshuaMcCarthy
Read More... [Source: Native Indian Gambling News]
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