Pokerstars California Alliance

Wednesday November 12,2014 : POKERSTARS  CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE STRENGTHENED
 
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians joins online poker coalition.
 
The California alliance of Pokerstars, the Morongo tribe and three major land card room operators lobbying for unrestricted online poker legalization in the Sunshine State  has been strengthened following a decision by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to join the coalition.
 
The decision by the San Manuel tribe represents a dramatic change in its stance; earlier this year it appeared to support the inclusion of "bad actor" clauses in any legalization legalization, which would not necessarily be in the interests of Pokerstars.
 
Industry observers speculated Tuesday that previous bonds between the San Manuel and the Morongo in the unsuccessful and now defunct California Online Poker Association may have led to the sea change in San Manuel's perspective on the legalization scene.
 
The powerful alliance now comprises Amaya Gaming (owners of Pokerstars and Full Tilt), the Morongo and San Manuel bands and the Bicycle Casino, Hawaiian Gardens Casino and Commerce Club.
 
The chairperson for the San Manuel Band, Lynn Valbuena, said Tuesday: “We are pleased to join this coalition. We are convinced that the various interests must work together if we are to be successful in establishing a well-regulated environment and the best-in-class Internet poker industry for California.”