The state of Texas cannot establish gaming on lands owned by the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, state attorney general Greg Abbott ruled on Thursday.

The decision strikes down a major part of a plan by Gov. Rick Perry (R) to create a statewide video lottery. Perry wanted the tribes to operate some of the 15,000 video lottery terminals that would be used to generate revenues for public education.

But federal law bans gaming on the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta reservations, Abbott said. The tribes were restored federal recognition under an act of Congress that contains a gaming prohibition.

The ruling does not apply to the Kickapoo Tribe, whose recognition act did not have the same provision.

A copy of the opinion can be found at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/ga/ga0278.pdf

Get the Story:
Perry's video lottery plan takes a hit (The Houston Chronicle 12/10)