Chief William Bills Comments on California Poker Bill

Chief William Bills of the Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada, who recently launched the ShonEcasino.com online gaming brand on the GEObet Network Internationally, calls out for all Tribes of California to strengthen their Sovereignty and stand against the online gambling bill as now proposed by California Senator Rod Wright.

Chief William Bills states, "I believe Senator Wright is doing his best to bring forth the legalization of online gaming to the State of California 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 e-Commerce tied to their economic development strategy and Online Gambling plays significantly in those plans as a starting point to Cyberspace.”

The Indians of North America have used the airways for communications from tribe to tribe and have games of chance ingrained in their historical lives for thousands of years and certainly before European occupation of North America. We have inherent rights that Senator Wright should consider and not ignore in his poker bill in California that will certainly diminish if not destroy our Sovereign rights. The Tribes really should not have to be required by the State of California for 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. 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 Rod Wright bill in California as written, they 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.

Chief William Bill believes that there is a possible negotiated position that can be discussed between State governments and Tribal leaders to bring forth a successful Tribal online gambling relationship with the States so that both parties will benefit however the need to support Tribal initiatives and build out Tribal businesses does not stop at the edge of the Indian lands it starts at the center of the Earth and reaches to the ends of the universe. These are Tribal territories and it is important that we defend our rights to practice our culture in the new millennium in a modern world.

If Senator Wright has his bill pass as is, then only the wealthiest of land based Casinos will be able to afford to have poker licenses in California and the 35 Million dollars up front is a barrier that is impossible to breach when entrepreneurs all over the world can launch online gaming sites and do business under international licenses for approximately 35K - 50K annual license fees that cover the world not including the USA. In addition European licensing bodies and governments are taking 0% up to 2% of Net gaming revenues for licensing and giving online gaming companies the opportunity for zero corporate tax in order to stimulate business development.

Why should Senator Wright and the State of California expect Tribes to pay up front $35MM price tag on poker? It is obvious that Senator Wright has not been shown or understands the mathematics or business plan of an online poker room. There is just not that money available in the gross revenues of a poker room. It amounts to a cash grab and it will be paid by entrepreneurial Tribal peoples who will be entering this business as startups.

Chief William Bills’ sends a message to Senator Wright : “Senator I am not from your State however the Tribes span many States in America and our concerns are tied to blood lines that cross all borders not only State lines they include the border north to Canada and south to Mexico. I would welcome an opportunity to have an open discussion with you about your intent with this bill and understand how it will benefit the Tribes.”

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Jodie Thind
Jodie@lyceummedia.com
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