It was just a few days ago that the Restoration of America’s Wire Act bill was proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham, with support from Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. While many expected this bill, as backed by Sheldon Adelson, to be placed on the table, Indian tribes as well as online gaming proponents were very surprised to see the senator in favor of a federal ban after the state had been making efforts to offer iGaming.
According to a report by PokerNews, the senator was the only democrat to choose to co-sponsor the bill which would see online gambling banned across the United States. California Tribal Business Alliance Chair, Leslie Lohse, spoke about the Senator’s move by stating:
“We’re concerned that there appears to have been no consultation before she decided to support this bill, which would have direct impacts on California tribes. We look forward to having government to government consultation with Senator Feinstein, and ultimately doing what’s best for California and Indian Country.”
As it appears, officials working on the option for the state did not seem to have any idea that Feinstein was going to be in support of the new federal bill and this is troubling. Tribal interests have been a strong concern in the state with many coming together to try to come up with a solution that is agreeable to everyone so online gaming can be licensed and regulated in the state. With this move by Feinstein, the tribes will most likely feel insulted as they did not know of the action she was going to take.
As quoted in the PokerNews article, Keith Sharp, the attorney representing several card clubs in the los Angeles area, the senator has been consistent when it comes to gambling issues and how she is not in favor of expanding the option. Sharp says that he would hope at some point a dialogue can be opened with Feinstein and that the option to offer online gaming based on a state decision can be persuaded upon her.
However, just because the senator is co-sponsoring the online gambling ban bill, the state will still move forward as planned. A hearing is scheduled for the 23rd of April in which the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee will meet to discuss internet poker in California with stress on public policy and fiscal implications of authorizing intrastate gaming.
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