The California Online Poker Association, and the lawmakers who crafted Senate Bill 40 in California, are worried that the federal government may regulate Internet poker on a federal level before the state can act. They believe that would be bad for California, but there are several Native American tribes in the state that want to act, but don't want to feel rushed into action.

“We foresee no successful action on this front in either 2011 or 2012,” said (Jeff Grubbe, vice-chairman of the The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs).

“We believe you have the time to carefully construct a proposal. We urge you to take the time to get it right,” Grubbe said.

Industry observers perceived Grubbe's statement as a shift from the tribe's long-held “neutral” stance on online gambling.

“They've come off the dime, and that's a big off-the-dime,” said Patrick Dorinson, an independent consultant who has last been affiliated with Poker Voters of America.
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