Poker Industry Slams Kahnawake Choice for Moderator - 07-31-08

July 31 - When the Kahnawake Gaming Commission announced that it would be appointing an independent expert to investigate internal cheating scandals at two of its licensed sites, the online poker industry praised the body for agreeing to maintain transparency in an ugly situation.

Kahnawake had been strongly criticized by many in the industry for failing to take stronger steps against Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker, both owned by Tokwiro Enterprises, after it was discovered that both sites had been cheating its players.

However, after the commission announced this week that it had appointed the former New Jersey State Gaming Regulator, Frank Catania, to head the new Independent Monitoring Team, many players and industry insiders once again slammed Kahnawake on their choice.

The thing that irks critics the most is that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission simply failed to mention Catania's past association with the commission. In particular, nowhere was it noted that Catania helped the commission draft its regulations in 1999 which was then led by Grand Chief Joe Tokwiro Norton. Today, the same chief heads Tokwiro Enterprises - owner of the two online poker sites under investigation.

Many in the industry are of the opinion that although there is no doubt that Catania has the professional ability to lead the Independent Monitoring Team, the fact that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission failed to mention its past association with him may show that it continues to shy away from total transparency.

The Chairman of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Dean Montour, however, was optimistic. "While the ongoing investigative process has dominated the attention of the KGC in recent months, we are fully confident in the ability of the Independent Monitoring Team to deliver results and to assist the Commission in bringing this matter to a decisive conclusion," he said.