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Morongo chair testifies against Internet gaming bill (12/04)

Robert Martin, the chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California, testified at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Thursday. Martin opposed H.R. 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act, and H.R....

Marketwatch: Online gambling law goes into effect (11/23)

"California resident J.D. won over $50,000 playing video poker online this year. Wow! She couldn't do that well in Las Vegas, and at home she can play anytime without having to drive for hours. Plus,...

New city leaders open to talks for Cowlitz casino (11/09)

Newly elected members of the city council in La Center, Washington, want to discuss gaming with the Cowlitz Tribe. In the past, the city council opposed the tribe's land-into-trust application for a casino. But with...

Alabama governor accused of taking gaming funds (11/06)

A Republican candidate for governor of Alabama says Gov. Bob Riley (R) accepted "millions of dollars" from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Bill Johnson served in Riley's Cabinet and was part of Riley's...

Cherokee council rejects casino related measure (11/04)

The Cherokee Nation Council voted down a measure that would have restricted subcontract work at a new casino to Indian-owned firms. Some council members said Indian business should get the first shot at $5 million...

Lytton Band opposes bill to restrict casino size (10/30)

The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians is opposing a bill to restrict the expansion of its casino in San Pablo, California. The tribe acquired the 10 acres for the San Pablo Lytton Casino through an...

Mohegan Tribe pushes casino in Massachusetts (10/28)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut says a commercial casino will bring jobs and development to western Massachusetts. The tribe wants to build a casino in Palmer, near Springfield. Executives say construction will create 1,000 jobs...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe confident of casino (10/27)

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is confident of its plans for a casino, a spokesperson said, despite hitting a number of setbacks. The tribe gained federal recognition in May 2007 after a decades-long wait....

Montana tribes weigh smoking policy at casinos (10/19)

At least one tribe in Montana is promoting its casino as smoker friendly now that the state's smoking ban has gone into effect. Smokers can still light up at the casino owned by the...

Narragansett Tribe pushes casino project (10/09)

The leader of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island was in Washington, D.C., to promote a new plan for a casino. Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas met with members of the state's Congressional delegation. He told...

Rhode Island governor flip flops on casino (10/08)

After spending years fighting the Narragansett Tribe, Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) supports a gaming referendum. Carcieri vigorously opposed the tribe's efforts to authorize a commercial casino. But now that he's heading out of...

Anti-gaming group fights land-into-trust fix (10/06)

The Rhode Island Statewide Coalition, an anti-gaming group, is opposing legislation to fix the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The bill allows tribes to obtain land "anywhere" they want, according to the...

Gaming an issue with land-into-trust measure (10/05)

Key members of Congress have introduced legislation to fix the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar but gaming issues might affect passage of the bill. The bill ensures that all tribes can follow...

Attorney's tribal client opposes online poker (10/02)

Correction: The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is NOT currently a client of attorney Howard Dickstein. The original version of the post incorrectly referred to the tribe as a client. Attorney Howard Dickstein and one of...

Mohegan Tribe targets Massachusetts casino (10/02)

The Mohegan Tribe isn't worried about losing business in Connecticut as it pursues a commercial gaming facility in Massachusetts. The tribe wants to open a casino in Palmer, in the western part of Massachusetts. The...

California weighs minimum control standards (10/01)

The California Gambling Control Commission has proposed its own version of the minimum internal control standards, or MICS, but some tribes are opposed. The MICS cover just about every aspect of Class III gaming. The...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe welcomes land fix (09/25)

Legislation to fix to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar will ensure the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts can acquire land for a casino. The tribe gained federal recognition in May 2008....

Racetracks in Texas welcome Chickasaw Nation (09/24)

Racetrack owners in Texas believe the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma will lead the push to expand gaming in the Lone Star State. In the past, the tribe spent money to lobby Texas lawmakers against slot...

Massachusetts gears up for another gaming bill (09/22)

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are getting ready to consider another proposal to legalize casinos in the state. A prior effort, pushed by Gov. Deval Patrick (D), failed. But this time, some key lawmakers are on board...

North Dakota charities want electronic gaming (09/21)

Charities in North Dakota hope a new study will lead to electronic games at non-Indian facilities. The North Dakota Legislature authorized a study of laws affecting charitable gambling and pari-mutuel horse racing. A report is...

Oregon group targets smoking at tribal casinos (09/18)

The American Lung Association of Oregon is asking Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) to renegotiate the tribal-state compact to ban smoking at Indian gaming facilities. The state's indoor smoking ban went into effect on June 1....

Graton Chairman: Indian gaming bill was unfair (09/15)

"In a recent editorial, �Money talks� (Sept. 4), The Press Democrat claimed that �big money and power politics� was the driving force behind a state Senate committee's unanimous rejection of Assemblyman Jared Huffman's resolution on...

Morongo Band to push for online poker in 2010 (09/10)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians will spend the next few months gathering more support for a bill to legalize Internet poker in California. The tribe and some non-Indian card clubs were hoping to pass...

Morongo Band drops campaign for online poker (09/09)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians dropped efforts to legalize Internet poker in California but the tribe will try again in 2010. The tribe and some non-Indian card clubs sought to operate online poker games...

Anti-tribal gaming bill slowly dying in California (09/03)

A bill that makes it harder for tribes to open casinos is slowly dying in the California Legislature. ACR 56 bars the state governor from entering into Class III gaming compacts unless the gaming site...

Morongo Band pushing for Internet poker (08/17)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians and non-Indian card clubs say the state of California will share in revenues from Internet poker games. But the tribe won't say how much will go to the state...

Mohegan Tribe eyes table games in Pennsylvania (07/21)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut says it will be ready for table games if approved in Pennsylvania. The tribe operates slot machines at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Poker, blackjack, roulette and craps...

Obama files brief in off-reservation gaming case (07/09)

Tribes who are looking to the Obama administration for change won't find it in a brief the Department of Justice filed in an off-reservation gaming case. Government attorneys said the St. Croix Band of Chippewa...

Lawmaker won't pursue casino for Burt Lake Band (07/01)

A lawmaker in Michigan said it is "fruitless" to pursue a casino for the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. State Rep. Matt Lori (R) said state laws must be changed before the...

Lobbying intensifies on Internet gaming bill (06/22)

Groups on both sides of the Internet gaming debate are spending big in Washington, D.C., this year. The Poker Players Alliance spent $430,000 in the first three months of the year while the Interactive Gaming...

Bill in California authorizes online poker games (06/18)

Tribes would be able to offer online poker games under a bill being considered in California. Tribes with Class III gaming compacts would be allowed to offer the games. So would non-Indian card clubs, a...

Minnesota governor regrets handling of tribal gaming (06/04)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who won't seek a third term in office amid rumors of a 2012 presidential run, says he could have done a better job on tribal gaming issues. Pawlenty proposed an...

Rep. Frank sponsors bill to lift ban on Internet gaming (05/26)

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts), the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, says Americans should be able to gamble on the Internet. "Most actions the government should stay out of," Frank said at a...

Bill seeks to expand non-Indian gaming in Arizona (05/21)

A Republican leader in Arizona has introduced a bill to expand non-Indian gaming. House Majority Whip Andy Tobin said his proposal will create revenues for the state. The bill would authorize slot machines, blackjack and...

McCain goofs on NIGC name at EchoHawk hearing (05/15)

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) was an original sponsor of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and made gaming a top priority...

Wisconsin smoking ban won't affect tribal casinos (05/15)

Correction: The bill is about smoking in Wisconsin, not Minnesota as incorrectly stated before. A bill that bans smoking in public places won't affect tribal casinos in Wisconsin. Tribes could pass their own smoking laws...

Turtle Talk: Early analysis of Internet gaming bill (05/14)

"H.R. 2267 has some very interesting tidbits in it. Section 5486(C) states: No decision by a State under this subsection shall be considered in making any determination with regard to the ability of an Indian...

Texas tribes won't get to reopen casinos (05/13)

Tribes in Texas won't get to reopen their casinos after a comprehensive gaming bill officially died in the Texas Legislature on Tuesday. The Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe lobbied for the measure. Their casinos...

Connecticut tribal casino smoking bill killed (05/13)

A bill that sought to ban smoking at tribal casinos in Connecticut is officially dead after a legislative committee failed to bring it up for a vote. Democrats pushed for the ban, citing the impacts...

Maine gaming bill excludes Passamaquoddy Tribe (05/12)

A legislative committee in Maine advanced a gaming bill on Monday but rejected a provision for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. The tribe wanted the ability to offer up to 100 slot machines a bingo facility in...

Gaming compact for Seminole Tribe up for final vote (05/08)

A Class III gaming compact for the Seminole Tribe faces a final vote in the Florida Legislature today. If approved, it will go to Gov. Charlie Crist (R) for his approval. Tribal leaders must weigh...

Deal reached over compact for Seminole Tribe (05/07)

Florida lawmakers reached a last-minute deal for a Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe. The deal allows the tribe to keep slot machines, blackjack and other card games at four of its casinos....

Still no agreement on compact for Seminole Tribe (05/06)

Lawmakers in Florida have yet to reach agreement on a Class III gaming compact for the Seminole Tribe. The House doesn't support blackjack for the tribe but the Senate does. The House also opposes an...

Mohegan Tribe calls casino smoking ban 'devastating' (05/06)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut says a ban on smoking at its casino would have "devastating" impacts. A study says the tribe will be forced to lay off as many as 4,000 people from Mohegan...

Opinion: Legislative threats to California gaming tribes (05/06)

"Federal legislation backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and California Senator Barbara Boxer are a dagger poised at the heart of California�s Native American tribes. Most Californians are unaware of the impact of two...

Deadline looms on compact for Seminole Tribe (05/05)

Florida lawmakers have until Friday to agree on a Class III gaming compact for the Seminole Tribe. The House and the Senate are poised to reach a compromise, one lawmaker said. The two chambers have...

Tigua Tribe included in latest Texas gaming bill (04/30)

The Tigua Tribe of Texas could reopen its casino under the latest draft of a gaming bill in Texas. The tribe faced opposition after lawmakers learned Tigua women don't have the right to vote in...

Lawmakers work on compact for Seminole Tribe (04/30)

Blackjack is emerging as a key issue as lawmakers in Florida try to resolve their differences over a Class III compact with the Seminole Tribe. The House and the Senate agree the tribe should be...

Still no deal on compact for Seminole Tribe (04/29)

The Florida Legislature has yet to reach a deal for a Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe but lawmakers won't adjourn on Friday as scheduled. The House wants to limit the tribe to...

Still no deal on Seminole Tribe's gaming compact (04/28)

The Florida Legislature adjourns on Friday but it doesn't look like lawmakers will reach a deal over Class III gaming for the Seminole Tribe. The House and the Senate passed dramatically different bills affecting the...

Maine tribes press for expanded gaming rights (04/28)

The Maine Legislature is considering two bills to expand gaming options for the Passamaquoddy Tribe (Indian Township | Pleasant Point ) and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. LD 1739 allows the Passamaquoddy Tribe to...

Connecticut tribes battle casino smoking ban (04/27)

Connecticut's two federally recognized tribes are preparing for a major battle if the state tries to ban smoking at their casinos. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe say a proposed bill...

Florida governor touts new Seminole gaming deal (04/24)

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) said a new Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe means more money for public schools but lawmakers don't seem to be warming to the plan. Under the new...

Rival Seminole gaming compact bill advances (04/22)

The Florida House voted 84-27 on a bill to limit the Seminole Tribe. to slot machines. The bill gives the tribe exclusivity to offer slot machines outside of two counties where they are already legal....

Connecticut tribal casino smoking ban advances (04/21)

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are at odds over a bill that purports to ban smoking at tribal casinos. Democrats say the state can protect the right of workers on reservations. But Republicans say the bill...

NIGA passes resolution against pro-union legislation (04/20)

At its annual meeting last week, the National Indian Gaming Association passed a resolution against a pro-union bill, Indian Country Today reports. Tribal leaders believe the Employee Free Choice Act [H.R.1409 | S.560] will...

Seminole gaming compact bill passes Florida Senate (04/17)

The Florida Senate voted 27-11 on Thursday in favor of a Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe. The deal authorizes slot machines and table games. It calls for the tribe to share an...

Alabama-Coushatta Chair: Gaming will help reservation (04/17)

"The national economic downturn touches all of us, but the economic struggles so many Americans now face is one that poses a long-running challenge to members of my tribe, the Alabama-Coushatta of Texas. One in...

Analysis: Tigua Tribe's gaming bill on 'life support' (04/16)

"Events late last week have left the Tigua�s hope of reopening Speaking Rock Casino any time soon hanging by a thread. On Friday, the El Paso Times quoted state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso,...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe confident of Carcieri fix (04/16)

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts says Congress is on its way to fixing the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The decision limits the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal...

Bill for Seminole Class III gaming advances (04/08)

A bill to authorize Class III gaming for the Seminole Tribe advanced in the Florida Senate. The bill authorizes slot machines and table games. The tribe would be required to share revenues with the state....

Economists cite benefits of Seminole gaming (04/07)

Economists working for the Florida Legislature say a Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the state. The House version of the compact will bring...

Mohegan Tribe promotes casino in Massachusetts (04/03)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut continues to promote plans for a commercial casino in Massachusetts. The tribe operates Mohegan Sun on its reservation. The facility has been successful but has been hit hard by...

Florida lawmakers take up Seminole gaming bill (04/03)

The House Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review took up a bill to authorize a Class III gaming compact for the Seminole Tribe today. The bill allows slot machines at the tribe's casinos. Card...

California lawmaker seeks local approval of casinos (04/02)

A lawmaker in California is pursuing a state constitutional amendment to require local approval of proposed tribal casinos. Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D), who has criticized "reservation shopping," said the amendment could require approval by voters...

Editorial: Share tribal gaming revenues with state (04/01)

"Suggestion to lawmakers in Austin: Here's a way cities get needed projects, but the money doesn't come out of taxpayers' pockets. If casino gambling is allowed on Texas Indian reservations, and at Texas horse tracks,...

Texas tribes push for restoration of gaming (03/31)

Leaders of the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe testified in support of a bill to restore their gaming rights in Texas. The tribes agreed to a state ban on gaming when they were restored...

Native Hawaiian bill includes ban on gaming (03/27)

Hawaii's Congressional delegation introduced a new version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act to clarify that gaming remains illegal in the state. The delegation introduced the bill in January but it didn't discuss gaming....

Tigua Tribe defends tradition amid gaming push (03/26)

The Tigua Tribe of Texas is defending its traditions as lawmakers consider bills that would authorize Indian gaming in the state. Tribal elections are only open to adult men, an issue that has concerned at...

Seminole gaming bill moving quickly in Florida (03/26)

Lawmakers in the Florida Senate unveiled, considered and passed a bill to authorize Class III gaming for the Seminole Tribe in record time this week. The bill affirms the tribe's right to offer slot machines...

Mohegan Tribe plans lawsuit over smoking bill (03/26)

The Mohegan Tribe will sue the state of Connecticut and withhold gaming revenues if lawmakers pass a bill to ban smoking at casinos, Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum said on Wednesday. In letters to Gov....

Tigua Tribe sends women to lobby for gaming bill (03/25)

Women from the Tigua Tribe of Texas are lobbying for a gaming bill in response to concerns raised by a lawmaker. According to Quorum Report, state Rep. Valinda Bolton (D) is concerned that Tigua...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe seeks land-into-trust fix (03/25)

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is hoping to keep its casino proposal alive after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The tribe wants to build a resort in the town of...

Florida lawmakers clash on Seminole compact (03/25)

Lawmakers in Florida are at odds over Class III gaming for the Seminole Tribe. A bill in the state Senate affirms the tribe's rights to offer all forms of Class III gaming, including slot machines...

Bill to ban smoking at tribal casinos advances (03/24)

A bill to ban smoking at Connecticut's two tribal casino passed a state House committee on Monday. The bill requires the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe to enter into agreements with the...

Connecticut bill bans smoking at tribal casinos (03/20)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe say a bill that requires them to ban smoking at their casinos infringes on their sovereignty. The tribes plan to discuss the issue with the state...

Mohegan Tribe promotes Massachusetts casino (03/19)

The Mohegan Tribe wants to build a smaller version of its casino in Connecticut in a neighboring state. Mohegan Sun, chief executive Mitchell Etess said a casino in western Massachusetts will boost the economy. He...

Mohegan Tribe pushes full casino in Massachusetts (03/17)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut wants to open a full-scale casino resort in Massachusetts, not a slot machine parlor, a top gaming executive said. The tribe began eyeing a casino in Massachusetts after Gov. Deval...

Bill limits Lytton Band off-reservation casino (03/16)

Without debate or a hearing in the 111th Congress, the Senate on Thursday passed a bill to limit the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians from expanding its off-reservation casino in San Pablo, California. The...

Blog: Utah AG wants tribes blocked from gaming (03/06)

"Mark Shurtleff thinks the US government ban against online casinos has failed, and should be replaced by a regulatory system that protects US residents while generating revenue. That opinion is shared by millions in the...

Alabama bill calls for compact with Poarch Band (03/06)

A bill introduced in Alabama requires the state to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The bill requires the governor to propose an agreement by January 1, 2014....

Mohegan casino generates $14M for municipalities (03/05)

Communities in Pennsylvania are benefiting from a casino owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. Tax revenues from the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs resulted in $14 million for municipalities around the casino in northeastern...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe 'knocked' out of gaming (03/04)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar has "knocked" the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe "out of the box" for gaming, Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy Cahill said on Tuesday. The tribe's official federal recognition didn't come...

City opinion backs Burt Lake Band casino bid (02/27)

The Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians can pursue a casino under state law, according to an opinion from the attorney for the city of Sturgis, Michigan. The tribe's lack of federal recognition...

Editorial: Ethics and gaming for South Dakota tribe (02/27)

"State Rep. Kristi Noem this week has raised a question about the ethics of a member of the South Dakota Senate. As Sen. Scott Heidepriem pushed a resolution that would let South Dakota voters allow...

Connecticut bill seeks expanded liquor sales (02/25)

The Connecticut Legislature will debate a bill that allows 24-hour liquor sales at the state's two tribal casinos. Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) and Republican lawmakers say expanded liquor sales will help the economy. They...

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe hopes to reopen casino (02/25)

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas says gaming will bring jobs and revenue back to the reservation. The tribe operated a successful Class III casino until it was shut down by the federal courts. Unemployment has...

Overwhelming majority in Texas for tribal gaming (02/24)

A poll commissioned by a pro-gaming group finds that 75 percent of Texans support slot machines at tribal facilities and at race tracks. When asked about slots at tribal facilities, 63 percent supported the idea....

Interview: Tigua leader on gaming rights bill (02/23)

The El Paso Times interviews Carlos Hisa, the lieutenant governor of the Tigua Tribe, about a bill to restore the tribe's gaming rights in Texas. "Times: Are you worried that, given the economic conditions, you...

Judge cites IGRA in overturning ban on video poker (02/20)

A judge in North Carolina said the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act prohibits the state from banning video poker while allowing it to be offered on tribal lands. The state Legislature outlawed video poker but...

Bill in Texas allows tribes to reopen casinos (02/18)

Texas Rep. Norma Ch�vez (D) introduced a bill to restore the gaming rights of the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. The bill allows federally recognized tribes to operate bingo and poker. "This bill recognizes...

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe backs anti-casino bill (02/05)

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe supports a bill that seeks to discourage a casino near the South Dakota-Iowa border. The Royal River Casino is located in Flandreau, not far from the Iowa border. The tribe...

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe eyes gaming debate (02/04)

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe says legalization of gaming in Massachusetts will bolster its plans for a $1 billion casino. In August 2007, the tribe submitted two land-into-trust applications to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. One...

Mohegan Tribe pushes for casino in Massachusetts (02/03)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is stepping up efforts to build a casino in Massachusetts. The tribe is opening an office in Palmer, in the western part of the state, and has hired a local...

Bill seeks to limit Lytton Band casino expansion (01/29)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) introduced a bill on Wednesday to block the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians from expanding its Class II facility without gaining state and federal approval. The tribe acquired the San Pablo...

Tigua Tribe gets backing for reopening of casino (01/14)

The Tigua Tribe of Texas continues to push for the reopening of its casino. The Speaking Rock Casino was closed in 2002 after a legal battle with the state. Officials and lawmakers in the El...

Tigua Tribe hopeful for reopening of casino (01/06)

The Tigua Tribe of Texas hopes 2009 will see the reopening of its once-successful casino. The Speaking Rock Casino was a Class III operation that created thousands of jobs and pumped millions of dollars into...

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