Presidential Meeting Includes Debate on Internet Gambling

First Nation issues addressed at the meeting On Dec. 16, the White House hosted a presidential meeting between the US President Barak Obama and tribal leaders from across the country, on which occasion they addressed a number of First Nation issues, some of which include online gambling. This is the second meeting held by the current administration with the native tribes. Some of the tribal leaders to attend the meeting include: Daniel Tucker, chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Robert Smith, chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and Robert Welch, vice-chairman of the Viejas band of Kumeyaay. Despite the expectation that the summit will mostly focus on economic development issues, including Indian gaming, it was learned that some tribal leaders intended to express their concerns about off-site reservation gaming and Internet gambling in particular, due to the latest interest incited by Senator Reid's apparently failed proposal to legalize online poker in the US. This issue actually divides the tribes in their opinion, as it's not known what impact it may have on tribal gambling businesses, particularly in California. The media learned from Welch, Viejas and other tribes that it's their intention to make sure such a move would not threaten brick-and-mortar operations like tribal casinos.