One tribe, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, seems to be leading the way to online casinos in California, in truth this could be a path to legal online casinos in the United States.  While the tribe is simply looking for the right to offer online poker in California, it may just be the first step needed before other state run with the idea. 

Patrick Dorinson, a spokesperson for the Morongo Tribe, claims the tribe has met with legislative leadership but there is no official legislation in the works yet.  In the mean time several drafts have been drawn up.  George Forman, the Morongo attorney, is responsible for a significant portion of the draft language. 

The current draft is about five pages long and rather persuasive.  It of course points out the $4 billion in annual revenues of “off shore, non-United States Internet gambling Web sites.”  The draft legislation also mentions the over one million Californians that already gamble at online poker rooms and online casinos.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act really poses no threat to the ambition of the Morongo Band, in truth it overtly allows for such plans to take place.  While using credit cards at online casinos are illegal, the law make an exception for “intrastate” Internet gambling.

According toe Dorinson, the tribe’s goal is to offer a safer more regulated version of an industry that is already immensely popular and lucrative.

“Because of technology, you can identify your players,” said Dorinson.

“Right now, there are a lot of Californians playing Internet poker, but without consumer protection.”