The constant debate and legal banter surrounding the gambling industry continues to grow with each passing day. Most of the states in the U.S. have firm regulations prohibiting gambling in any form when money is involved. The same holds good for live poker and online poker activities. Idaho is one such state that has strict laws forbidding poker in any form.
However, these laws did not deter the Indian tribe Coeur d’Alene Tribe that openly promotes its casino and the games on offer, one of which includes poker.
The state of Idaho opposed the casino and filed a case stating that the casino was violating Idaho state law. The case was heard on the 5th of September and a judge ruled in favor of the state, granting Idaho an injunction to close down all the poker rooms at the casino.
This decision and moved did not go down well with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who felt that they were hard done. Tribal leaders stated that they will appeal the verdict and fight the case once again because poker was a game of skill and not of chance, hence did not come under the gambling laws that the state of Idaho imposed.
Coeur d’Alene Tribe CEO David Matheson took the verdict as a personal attack on the tribe stating that the war against the Indian tribe continues. In a statement, Matheson said
It’s like the Indian wars won’t end. It’s hypocrisy at its highest chord. We felt like it was permitted, therefore we could play poker her. Therefore, it was a no brainer. We’ve been here from the beginning of time and we’re not going anywhere. We will prevail
Matheson said that the casino expected the state to raise objections but did not expect them to shut down operations. He stated that poker was extremely popular and not only did it bring in business but those taxes could help the state execute projects that would benefit the people of Idaho.
The casino also created more jobs for residents of Idaho and now by shutting down the poker side of the business, these employees had to be absorbed by other sections of the casino, in order to keep the employees from being terminated.
The tribe will proceed to file an appeal but there is no fixed timetable as to when the appeals court will review the case. Till then the poker wing of the casino will remain closed.
