The tribal chairman of one of the largest and wealthiest Indian gaming facilities in the state, Mark Macarro of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in Temecula, on Wednesday reiterated his tribe's opposition to legalized online poker in California.

Macarro supported his tribe's dissent with a poll.

The results of an Aug. 9-13 telephone poll of 802 randomly selected registered voters by EMC Research, which Pechanga commissioned, were released by the tribe Wednesday.

EMC reported that 82 percent of the voters believe the state needs to look for new and creative ways of raising revenue, without increasing taxes on families and individuals.

Nevertheless, the poll found, voters did not see legalization of Internet poker as a viable way for the state to accomplish this goal.

The survey noted that 44 percent strongly oppose and 17 percent somewhat oppose state legalization of Internet poker.

At the same time, 14 percent strongly support and 24 percent somewhat support this form of gambling.

Pechanga's objections were made public Wednesday in the wake of a move by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which joined forces with California card clubs to legalize Internet poker in the state.

The groups also hope to get other tribal nations to sign on to the plan as a way to hedge bets against an offshore Internet gambling industry.

Insiders speculate that Morongo and the card clubs are shopping for a lawmaker willing to attach language proposing the creation of a state-regulated Internet poker site run by Californians for Californians to a stripped-down state bill.

Such a measure would be considered during the final four weeks of the legislative year.

As this issue gains more notoriety, many tribal nations have remained neutral in their opinions of legalized Internet poker.

Pechanga, however, is staunch in its opposition to the notion.

Macarro, whose objections were contained in a letter to state tribal leaders, said the Pechanga Band is unwavering in its belief that “far-reaching legal, political and policy consequences” will result should California legalize online poker.

Patrick Dorinson, a spokesman for Morongo, could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.

The California Tribal Business Alliance has also gone on record opposing efforts to legalize Internet poker for tribes and non-Indian card clubs in California.

The CTBA sent a letter to state lawmakers questioning the proposal.

The group says Internet gaming would disrupt the tribal-state gaming compacts.