Steve Stallings, the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) told representatives of gaming tribes gathered in Banning that the failure of legalizing online poker in the Golden State is a lesson in how tribes should embrace rather than fight new technology.
Tribes are facing competition and trying to swim in a sea of the growing influence of the internet and technology without drowning. All the while keeping up with the habits of a tech addicted younger generation that they want to attract to their casinos.
Stallings told the group, “The nine-year experience of trying to get internet poker legalized in California is a sad indicator of the complexity of the learning curve and competition we face in protecting and expanding our gaming status.” He added, “It’s also a commentary on the need to settle our differences and compromise in private, among ourselves, and unite on policies and issues.”
Stallings tribe, the Rincon Band of Mission Indians, has been pressing to craft a deal on online gaming several years. There are a total of 63 gaming tribes, but about 16 tribes hold the balance of power in deciding under what terms online poker will be permitted. But they can’t agree on the details. Any decision involving finance in the legislature requires a two-thirds majority. Which means that it’s almost impossible for any coalition to force its will on another.
The sticking point last year was a basic disagreement over the participation of Amaya/PokerStars, which many tribes consider a “bad actor” because for several years it violated U.S. law by allowing Americans to play at its offshore gaming sites.
This year there are few Pollyannas willing to say that 2017 will be different from any previous year. And the suitability of PokerStars remains at ground zero.
Jim Ryan, chief executive officer of Pala Interactive, which provides online gaming services for New Jersey, told Online Poker Report “There is no evidence that the tribes have reconciled that or even demonstrated a willingness to do so.” He added, “Everything I’m being told is that the legislators in Sacramento have been exhausted by the issue. So, in the absence of a material catalyst I think iPoker is certainly going nowhere fast.”
Robert Martin, chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, indicated recently that he and his coalition, which is built around PokerStars, three card clubs, and other tribes, will once again seek poker legislation this year.
Stallings doesn’t believe that the blame for failing to adopt legislation rests with PokerStars. He told the CNIGA audience “You can blame it on PokerStars, but I think it’s bigger than that. It’s the fact tribal leaders don’t grasp the importance of technology to our business. It doesn’t necessarily mean pushing internet poker, though that was the first thing out of the gate.”
He said that tribes have dragged their feet when it comes to adopting new technology, and trends such as social gaming, daily fantasy sports and e-sports. “Commercial gaming is doing it and doing it faster,” he said. “If we don’t come to this realization we’re going to be left behind.”
He said sports betting should be looked at closely and embraced if it will benefit tribal gaming. He said tribes tend to resist new developments—instead of finding ways to integrate them into a system that it knows. “It’s the same analogy for internet poker. We probably weren’t ready.”
He urged gaming tribes to unite to develop strategies that can help all of them to “turn risks into opportunities.”
