INTERNET GAMBLING ON THE AGENDA FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEETING

South Dakota tribal leaders discuss a range of First Nation issues with the President
 
US President Barak Obama met with tribal leaders from across the nation at the White House Thursday to discuss a variety of First Nation issues, amoing them internet gambling, reports the San Diego Union Tribune. The pow-wow was the second held by the present administration.
 
Among the local reservation leaders expected to attend: Daniel Tucker, chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Robert Smith, chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and Robert Welch, vice-chairman of the Viejas band of Kumeyaay.
 
Alhough economic development issues, including Indian gaming, were expected to be a major focus of the summit, it is known that some tribal leaders intended to voice their concerns about off-site reservation gaming and Internet gambling. Online gambling in particular has come into sharper focus in recent weeks following Senator Reid's apparently failed proposal to legalise online poker in the US (see previous InfoPowa reports).
 
Tribes are divided on the desirability of legalised online gambling and its impact on tribal gambling businesses, particularly in California.
 
Welch, Viejas and other tribes told the newspaper that they wanted to make sure such a move would not threaten brick-and-mortar operations like tribal casinos.