The California Nations Gaming Association, the California Business Alliance and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations have expressed their opposition to the introduction of online gaming in California.

In a letter to Rod Wright, chairman of the Senate Government Organisation Committee, the group warned that SB 1485 bill could "undermine the foundation upon which many tribal and state government decisions and financial commitments have been promised.

"Numerous California tribes have entered into long-term tribal-state compacts that will provide billions of dollars in funding for critical tribal programmes, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, educational services, elder care - all without government assistance - as well as providing significant revenues to the state, surrounding local governments and non-gaming tribes.

"Of particular concern is the unilateral legislative declaration that the bill does not violate the California Constitution or interfere with tribal rights under the compact, or that the bill does not violate exclusivity provisions of the compact. These and other declarations are tantamount to redefinition of critical compact terms and completely inappropriate."