Iipay Nation Of Santa Ysabel: We Will Continue Fight For Sovereign Right To Conduct Interactive Bingo

SANTA YSABEL, Calif., Dec. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, a federally recognized tribe in Southern California, released the following statement today after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California ruled against the tribe's sovereign right to offer Class II bingo games to California residents. Late last week, Judge Anthony J. Battaglia granted the State's request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that would temporarily suspend the Tribe's operation of its browser-accessed proxy play Class II bingo enterprise – Desert Rose Bingo – within the State of California.  

"We are deeply disappointed by the federal court's decision to grant the State's TRO," said Cruz Bustamante, spokesman for Santa Ysabel Interactive, the Tribe's economic development enterprise. "This decision poses a significant threat to tribal jurisdiction over Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. It declares one-touch bingo and proxy play of games to be illegal and turns a blind eye to federal laws and precedent permitting technological advancements to aid in the play of Class II bingo. These are very dangerous and significant pronouncements for Indian Country."

Prior to IGRA, federal laws governing gaming on Tribal lands did not exist. The IGRA, for the first time, set the legislative basis for regulating Indian gaming nationally.  The law encouraged economic development on Tribal lands and established gaming as a means of generating revenue for Tribes.

"If the State ultimately prevails on these important tribal sovereignty issues, the ultimate losers will be small, economically disenfranchised tribes in California and throughout the country," continued Cruz. "We remain hopeful that as the case progresses the court will make every effort to understand the game and its technology, ultimately realizing that the games being offered are by definition legal Class II games."

Always Gamble Responsibly. If you need help please call 1.800.GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or text the word "support" to 53342.

About the Iipay Nation: The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is a federally recognized tribe in Southern California. More information is available at http://www.iipaynation-nsn.com/.

Contact: Cruz Bustamante
(916) 600-9011, [email protected]

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SOURCE Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel

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http://www.iipaynation-nsn.com/