The Social Gaming and Leadership Alliance (SGLA) praised the Kletsel Economic Development Authority (KEDA), the economic development arm of the California tribe Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, for sending a letter urging lawmakers to reject Assembly Bill 831.
KEDA Fighting For Smaller, Less-Advantaged Tribes
AB 831 would ban online sweepstakes casinos and sweepstakes promotions despite new economic impact analysis showing the industry already contributes more than $1 billion to the California economy annually.
KEDA opposes the bill because it would eliminate economic development opportunities for “smaller, less-advantaged tribes” who could benefit from partnerships with gaming platforms.
Such tribes are urgently seeking to fund essential services like “healthcare, education, housing, food security, and social programs for their people,” according to Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation.
“The SGLA is proud to stand with the Kletsel Economic Development Authority to urge the lawmakers to reject AB831 and instead support policies that foster economic opportunity, respect tribal sovereignty, and preserve access to popular forms of digital entertainment for all Californians,” said SGLA Executive Director Jeff Duncan.
“Social games give millions of Californians access to a community and network that brings people together and gives everyone the chance to experience premium games for free – regardless of budget or location. They have the potential to expand opportunities for tribal nations.”
SGLA Supports KEDA’s Partnership With VGW
KEDA cannot support a “gut and amend” bill that “lacks broad tribal consensus, has advanced without meaningful consultation with many tribes, and threatens the inherent right to create legitimate revenue streams to support tribal communities.”
This move also came shortly after VGW, the Australian-headquartered operator of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, announced a multi-year partnership with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation.
The deal, signed with KEDA, will involve VGW working with the tribe’s economic team to offer free-to-play casino-style games, including sweepstakes promotions, to Californians.
“For tribes like ours, geography has always limited traditional economic development. It is self-serving for large, well-established gaming tribes to advocate for policies that restrict emerging digital commerce opportunities for others, effectively holding smaller and less-advantaged tribes hostage to their location,” said Eric Wright, Chief Executive Officer of KEDA.
“Eliminating lawful, regulated digital opportunities will deepen existing disparities, reduce self-sufficiency, and undermine California’s commitment to economic justice for all tribes.”
SGLA and KEDA urge California lawmakers to reject AB 831 to protect tribes like Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation and allow them to maintain this form of revenue stream.