A California lawmaker has been meeting with tribes in preparation for a bill to legalize Internet poker, Gambling Compliance reports.

Sen. Roderick Wright (D) held an informational hearing on Internet poker on February 9. He could introduce his bill by the end of May, sources said.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians proposed an Internet consortium with non-Indian card clubs. Although Wright probably won't include that in his bill, the tribe is open to other ideas.

"One of our main goals is for all of the state's tribes to have the opportunity to participate and benefit in this process so that we can protect the California tribal brand," a spokesperson for the Morongo Band told Gambling Compliance

Former President George W. Bush signed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act into law in 2006. The law bans Internet gambling but includes exceptions for wagering that takes place under state law or tribal-state compacts.

Congress is currently considering a bill to amend the law and regulate the Internet gaming industry

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California State Senator Preparing Internet Poker Bill (Gambling Compliance 4/26)
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