CTBA lauds AGA for stance against PokerStars entrance in US

In a brief filed Monday with New Jersey's Casino Control Commission, the American Gaming Association says the panel should reject a petition by PokerStars, a closely held Isle of Man operator of online gambling web sites, for interim authorization to buy a small, real-world casino in Atlantic City.
The California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), which has been outspoken about their concerns with regard to ensuring the hastily developed laws maintain the integrity of the industry, applauds the action taken by AGA, noting that their brief works to ensure gaming continues to build on the California tribal business foundation of integrity, fairness and success.

“With the gaming industry on the verge a major change, it is imperative that strong regulations are needed to ensure the integrity of iGaming,” said CTBA Chairman Robert Smith. “Licensees who have played by the enacted laws and rules of the United States, and maintained their integrity in the face of growing competition, should have a seat at the table.”

“California Tribal Governments believe lowering the standards will bring about issues of reciprocity and interstate gaming.  If other states are content  to weaken their standards in a desperate attempt to cobble together gaming laws that swing the doors of the industry open to whomever wants to walk in, then we need a barrier between what other States are trying to do and what California Tribal Governments are succeeding at.  At the end of the day, given what’s at stake for tribal governments, we need to hold firm and do what we know is right,” Chairman Smith added.

AGA’s decision to file the brief follows a frantic legislative scramble at the end of February to develop bills in New Jersey and Nevada so that they could join Delaware in passing laws that allow for intrastate online gaming and the option to do interstate online gaming.  While Nevada is starting with iPoker, New Jersey and Delaware are preparing to offer unlimited online gaming.  The New Jersey law, signed by Governor Chris Christie last week, would allow PokerStars an opportunity to acquire an Atlantic City casino and have a foothold in the US gaming market.