In what could prove a breakthrough in the move toward online poker legalisation in California, the important San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians have reportedly reached a broad consensus on how they see the market should be regulated.
Tribal differences have bedevilled the legalisation issue in California for years, but an increasing number of groups appear to be reaching the conclusion that legalisation is possible and does not threaten land casino interests.
The Pechanga and San Manuel representatives held a long meeting in San Diego late last week, emerging with agreement on what were previously contentious points that included:
* Licensees should be allowed no more than two branded websites per licensee;
* The exclusion of horse-racing tracks in any intrastate legalised online poker regime that may emerge;
* A requirement for “bad actor” provisions – that’s an issue that puts the two groups in direct opposition to the Morongo band of Mission Indians, which along with major land cardrooms in California has signed a partnership pact with Pokerstars (see previous reports).
The San Manuel and Pechanga groups will now have to further negotiate positions on the two competing online poker legalisation bills currently before the state Legislature.