From iGaming Business
c from the Winnemucca Indian Colony in Nevada has called on tribal groups in neighbouring California to oppose the passage of that western state’s proposed intra-state online gambling bill.
The Winnemucca Indian Colony recently launched the ShonEcasino.com online gaming brand in partnership with tribal-owned specialist iGaming turnkey solutions provider GEObet Online Network and Bills announced that he wants the indigenous tribes of California to strengthen their sovereignty by resisting the measure from California State Senator Roderick Wright.
“I believe Senator Wright is doing his best to bring forth the legalisation of online gaming to the state of California,” said Bills.
“However, his approach is off the mark from where the vast majority of tribes stand on this issue. I have been traveling across the nation meeting with tribal leaders who are moving towards eCommerce tied to their economic development strategy and online gambling plays significantly in those plans as a starting point to cyberspace.”
Bills contests that North American tribal groups used the airways for communication for thousands of years and have games of chance ingrained in their historical lives. As such, he asserts that Wright should consider these ‘inherent rights’ in his proposed legislation and that there may be a negotiated position that would see both parties benefit.
“The tribes really should not have to be required by the state of California [to obtain] a gaming license because they have the right to self government and self determination and can essentially license themselves if they choose to do so,” said Bills.
“However, we want to work with the states to create a framework of cooperation that is needed to use this industry to bring economic benefits to the tribes. By supporting the Roderick Wright bill in California as written, [tribes] will be surrendering their tribal rights to self government. This will be a very slippery slope and one that will have the tribes losing in online gambling while the major casino consortiums will control the majority of this business in America.”
