Tama Casino Will Allow Players 18-21 in June

There is good news for poker players that are under 21 in Iowa, the Maskawi Indian Tribe is now planning to offer poker to players that are 18 and up next month at their Tama Casino.  State Regulates however have banned the 18 to 21 year old players from the slot machines, Blackjack and other games. 

State law prohibits people that are under 21 from casino gambling but the tribe is able to offer poker to underage players under a provision of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.  The reason why is that the poker players make up the jackpot so the casino isn't involved but in slots and other games the casino has a stake in the pot so they won't be allowed to play.

Federal law allows Indian tribes to offer bingo and other certain kinds of gambling that is not governed by a compact between the Tama Casino and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.  Young gamblers will now be able to play poker and the casino will not be getting a cut of the pot, said David Werning, the Inspection Department's Spokesman.