Tribes Want Input on Net Gambling Legislation

Representatives from Indian tribes urged a Senate panel to ensure their gambling operations and rights are adequately protected if Congress moves to legalize online poker or other forms of Internet gambling.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee examined how proposals that call for legalizing online poker might impact the current gaming operations offered by Indian tribes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) are currently in negotiations on developing a proposal that would legalize online poker in exchange for tightening restrictions on other forms of Internet gambling. Congress passed legislation in 2006 aimed at outlawing Internet gambling by prohibiting banks, credit card companies and others from processing bets related to online gaming. However, that law has been put into doubt after the Justice Department late last year reversed its interpretation of the 1961 Wire Act, which dealt with state gambling activities, and said the law only applies to sports betting. "With Indian gaming representing over 40 percent of the gaming market, generating over $27.2 billion annually to this nation's economy, not to mention the jobs and economic benefits Indian gaming brings to some of the most impoverished areas in the country, it is inconceivable, given the recent change in the DoJ opinion, and with such sweeping changes in gaming being contemplated that tribes are not being consulted," Glen Gobin, secretary of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington state, told the committee.