The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho will open a poker room at its casino even though a state official said the games aren't legal.
The Idaho Constitution outlaws poker. But the National Indian Gaming Commission considers non-banked card games to fall into the Class II category, meaning the state lacks jurisdiction over them.
"We told them we did not think it was legal in Idaho," Idaho Lottery Commission Director Jeffrey Anderson told The Coeur d'Alene Press. But he added: "I don't have any authority to do anything about it."
The tribe says adding the poker games will keep the Coeur d'Alene Casino competitive with tribal facilities in neighboring Washington.
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Taking a gamble (The Coeur d'Alene Press 3/28)
Taking a gamble (The Coeur d'Alene Press 3/28)
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