According to reports from the US Bets portal, poker rooms in California are experiencing daily losses amounting to $100 million. Native American tribes are asserting that these card rooms are in violation of the state's exclusive gaming rights. Speakers at a gaming conference highlighted that the refusal of poker room owners to collaborate with tribes is resulting in significant daily financial losses.
Tuari Bigknife, the Attorney General for Viejas, emphasized that the exclusive gaming rights constitutionally guaranteed to the tribes are reinforced by the law. He pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, while tribes kept their casino operations open, poker rooms had to close, leading to a decline in the influence of card rooms.
Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Indian Tribe, stressed the importance for operators to present their cases in court to substantiate claims against independent card gaming rooms.
