Cali Tribe goes rogue and other Case Bets

Legislative inaction be damned, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is going ahead with Internet poker. It’s already got a free play site but plans to go live with the real deal perhaps as early as next week. Isn’t that unconstitutional? Maybe not. The Iipay Nation cites its sovereign status and its own constitution to justify its action. It also points to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act‘s permission of Class II games sans compact and poker is about as far from a house game as one can get. (The Iipay Nation no longer operates a physical casino.)

While the tribe could wait for the introduction of online-gambling legislation in December, it is not so inclined. “The current proposed legislation excludes all but the wealthiest gaming tribes from engaging in state-regulated online gaming. Smaller or remotely located tribes, like Santa Ysabel, would not be able to meet the financial prerequisites for participation in online gaming as currently proposed, in spite of their years of experience conducting and regulating brick-and-mortar Class II and Class III gaming,” said Santa Ysabel Interactive spokesman Dave Vialpando last month. We don’t think the State of California will take the Iipay Nation’s dare lying down, so brace yourself for the sound of a collision.

* Almost without exception, when a casino is rehabbed on the Las Vegas Strip, the phrase “South Beach” is brandished like a shibboleth. Both SLS Las Vegas and the soon-to-debut Delano (seen, at right, in its previous incarnation) are proclaiming their South Beachiness. As far as Delano goes, General Manager Matthew Chilton offers few clues but he certainly makes the place sound beautiful.

And if you doubt that Las Vegas is changing, check out how much Della’s Kitchen is emphasizing “responsibly sourced ingredients.” Joining the locovore movement, Della’s will employ herbs from its own greenhouse. “Sustainable” is often heard, as in connection with grass-fed beef, and organic foods are stressed, too. So many are the exotic ingredients that the toasted cheese stands out for its simplicity. The menu whets the appetite but it does give one an “Am I really in Vegas” feeling?

* Tired of crawling up the Strip in gridlock? Rest assured that $2.7 million has been budgeted toward studying the problem — but don’t hold your breath waiting for a solution acceptable to all the constituent parties.

* A list of America’s 21 top strip clubs and Vegas only has three on the list? Sin City, look to thy laurels!

Add Boise County in Idaho to the list of jurisdictions that could or will be wrestling with legalized gambling this November.