California Tribe Launches Real Money Bingo, With Poker "In the Coming Days" California Tribe Launches Real Money Bingo, With Poker "In the Coming Days"
Key Takeaways
  • According to today’s press statement, “at no time is live bingo game action performed by the user.”
  • Real money poker under the PrivateTable.com name is still part of the plan—considered “Phase 2,” pokerfuse was informed.

Californian tribe the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has followed through on its promise to bring real money online gaming to California residents with the launch of Desert Rose Bingo.

The website uses VPN technology provided by Great Luck. According to today’s press statement, “at no time is live bingo game action performed by the user.” Because, at least according to Santa Ysabel’s interpretation of the law, all gambling play takes place on their tribal land under the jurisdiction of the tribal government, it is in compliance with all applicable laws.

Real money poker under the PrivateTable.com name is still part of the plan—considered “Phase 2,” pokerfuse was informed. Its expected launch is “within the coming days … mostly likely within the next week or two”—barring any further setbacks, we were told.

The site first announced its audacious plans to offer what it considers legal regulated online gaming back in July. The site launched a free play online poker client and promised real money games “within days,” although unknown setbacks lead the tribe to focus on bingo as its first foray into online gambling.

“Some believe our promise to bring regulated cash poker games to California has all been a great big bluff, for any number of self-serving reasons,” Chris Wrieden, Director of Marketing for Santa Ysabel Interactive, told pokerfuse.

“I can tell you it hasn’t been, it just takes time to put all of the pieces together. When we launch it will put our critic’s bluff theory to rest and when we accept our first online bet, we will be on our way to creating change for our industry.”

From today, anyone in California aged 18 or over can purchase bingo cards on Desertrosebingo.com for $0.01, $0.05, $0.25, $0.50, and $1.00. Details of deposit and withdrawal methods on the website are scant.

The poker software currently used for free play is a modified version of IG Soft’s poker platform, which is currently in use on the Winning Poker Network and its skins Americas Cardroom, Black Chip Poker and BetCRIS.