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Letter: Tribal casino remains best option in Massachusetts (12/15)

"When people talk about casinos, you must remember 95 percent of all tribes in this country have always put their money back into the states, cities and towns. They were whalers, fishermen, landowners and business...

Editorial: Off-reservation casino needs community support (12/15)

"We respect the sovereignty of American Indian lands. But we also believe tribes should respect the wishes and policies of local residents. One such conflict is playing out in Joshua Tree, where the Twenty-Nine Palms...

Jim Billie: Seminole Tribe gaming enterprise clear and free (12/15)

"We are more than a little surprised at a recent news story about Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and her comments regarding “money laundering” at the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. In an...

Opinion: Tribal casinos evolve amid a challenging economy (12/13)

"Tribal gaming has seen a transformation, even in remote locations around the U.S. and Canada. It flourished initially, something new and fun. Flush, operations began to expand—more tables, more slots, an upgrade in the restaurant...

Column: Land-into-trust a big issue for Wampanoag casino (12/13)

"The span between the signing of the law legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts and the filing of its first legal challenge was measured in hours, not days. It likely won’t be the last challenge, either....

Opinion: Seneca Nation tries to fool voters with casino poll (12/12)

"We aren't quite as stupid -- we Americans -- as the Seneca leadership thinks we are. Leaders from the Sovereign Seneca Nation of Indians released the results of a poll last week they claim suggests...

Letter: Easy solutions for opponents of Spokane casino bid (12/12)

"There are mounting concerns that the upcoming Spokane Tribe casino in Airway Heights will have many negative impacts upon the surrounding community. It might divert customers from Spokane businesses, and customers will be forced to...

Letter: Enterprise Rancheria casino means jobs for county (12/12)

"Finally, after nine years of trying to build a casino that will bring thousands of jobs to Yuba County, the Maidu Tribe can see some light at the end of the tunnel. However, certain forces...

Opinion: Bill to bar Tohono O'odham casino breaks promises (12/09)

"If U.S. Congressman Trent Franks’ H.R. 2938 (Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act) passes, Arizonans’ water bills may increase again. But his bill isn’t actually about water at all. The bill was submitted...

Editorial: Expansion of gaming not the answer for Minnesota (12/09)

"Minnesotans might begin to wonder if a new Vikings stadium is really feasible if lawmakers intend to rely on gambling revenues to fund the state’s portion of the multimillion-dollar project. Stadium talks this week in...

Ernest Stebbins: Tribal gaming revenues stay in Washington (12/09)

"For-profit gambling expansion proponents promising hundreds of millions in new state revenue are relying on studies by their own gaming-market “experts.” Legislators should rely on the more sobering projections by the state Office of Financial...

Editorial: Proceed with caution on more gambling in New York (12/07)

"Gov. Andrew Cuomo has begun setting the stage for the next legislative session in Albany, and one of his priorities will be establishing private, non-Indian gambling operations. We’ve long been concerned about casinos because of...

Opinion: Indian Country can no longer ignore Internet gaming (12/07)

"Suddenly, what happens on the Isle of Man, the Kahnawake Mohawk reserve near Quebec, in Costa Rica or Alderney has become important to Tahlequah, Tacoma, Temecula, Tulsa and Toledo. I-gaming is here and the world...

Opinion: Eastern Cherokee compact will boost state economy (12/07)

"Your Dec. 1 editorial "Loaded deck" was seriously misconceived. You dismiss the jobs and income the Cherokee casino has brought to a poverty-stricken part of the state over the past decade and cite specious claims...

Opinion: Tribes in Washington won't share their casino revenue (12/07)

"The governor's list of potential new revenue generators includes gaming sources, but their impact is characterized as "indeterminate." There is nothing indeterminate about the fact that the recreational gaming market in our state continues to...

Editorial: Don't rush approval of Eastern Cherokee gaming deal (12/05)

"Early Monday morning, Gov. Bev Perdue's administration reached an accord with the Cherokee tribe to introduce table gambling in Western North Carolina. When the legislature did not immediately endorse the compact, a Perdue aide charged...

Editorial: Taking another look at First Nations gaming revenues (12/05)

"A group of Alberta First Nations chiefs wants the province to review gaming policy as it relates to five onreserve casinos. Though the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs haven't actually said they want the Alberta government...

Opinion: Spokane Tribe's casino project threatens military base (12/05)

"Is a Spokane tribal casino worth the risk of Fairchild Air Force Base closing? Putting aside all other issues, such as the creation of new jobs at a casino, ancestral lands on the West Plains,...

Editorial: Washington tribes should share more casino revenue (12/05)

"The tribes netted about $1.7 billion in gaming receipts in 2009, by far the lion’s share of the $2.2 billion total for all gaming operations in Washington. Of the tribal share, by law, $6.5 million...

Opinion: Arizona tribes must keep promise to voters on gaming (12/05)

"In early October, leaders from Indian communities and the state testified before a congressional committee about House Resolution 2938, legislation sponsored by Congressman Trent Franks to clarify the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act...

Ron Allen: Tribal gaming revenues go to government programs (12/02)

"It's probably just a sign of our desperate economic times, but it is still a head-scratcher to hear some elected officials calling on a group of the state's most impoverished people to help bail out...

Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake set to open casino next year (12/02)

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake in California expects to open its casino in spring or early summer of 2012, The Lake County News reports. Construction of the Running Creek Casino began in August. The...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming bad in Washington (12/01)

"Legislators in their first week of a special session in Olympia are understandably desperate in their search for budget solutions. However, they should be careful not to let their desperation lead to foolishness. One possible...

Paper publishes large number of anti-Spokane casino letters (12/01)

The Spokesman Review has published an unusual number of letters in opposition to the Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino. In November, the paper ran at least six anti-casino letters. Only one letter -- submitted by a...

Editorial: Consider side effects of Eastern Cherokee compact (12/01)

"Time and again, as the agreement to allow live dealers at the casino of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians was formulated, that four-letter word kept coming up: jobs. And yes, a deal rendered...

Column: Actions on gaming bids in New Mexico stink of money (11/28)

"There’s a lot of money in the gambling business. Heck, a casino license is akin to a license to print the stuff. As a result, those in the gambling business and those trying to get...

Opinion: Supporters of expanded gaming trying to play Florida (11/28)

"Poker players look for "tells," unconscious actions - blinking faster, sitting straighter - that can reveal whether someone is bluffing or has a good hand. Spot the "tell," and you may know what a player...

Editorial: Connecticut tribes facing big competition for gaming (11/28)

"We knew this day would eventually come, the day when neighboring states would approve plans to expand casino gambling within their borders, creating a competitive threat to Connecticut’s two hugely successful casinos. Last week, Massachusetts...

Opinion: Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe still dreaming about casino (11/22)

"With Indian Casinos virtually surrounding Los Angeles County, one might ask: why are there no Indian Casinos in Los Angeles County? The short answer is, there are no Indian Reservations in Los Angeles County upon...

Robert Smith: Address tribal concerns about Internet gaming (11/21)

"California is the home to 107 federally recognized Indian tribes, and the authorization of intrastate online gaming is a policy issue that has generated some disagreement among some of us in Indian country. But the...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming won't help Florida (11/21)

"Backers of the bill to allow "destination resort" casinos claim that allowing more gambling in Florida would mean less gambling in Florida. No, it won't. Common sense says it won't. History definitely says it won't....

Column: Support Mohegan Tribe casino bid in Massachusetts (11/21)

"We should all be rooting for the Mohegan Sun to win one of the three Massachusetts casino licenses that appear to be soon in the offing. Isn't it better that the Mohegans win the license...

Editorial: Fort Sill Apache Tribe deserves a chance at casino (11/21)

"The stretch of Interstate-10 between Las Cruces and Deming is not what we would call picturesque. But while most zip past the restaurant and smoke shop near Akela and see a lonely building in the...

Katherine Gorospe: No respect for Laguna Pueblo's casino bid (11/17)

"A number of stories and editorials have been published recently regarding the potential award of a new 25-year lease agreement between Expo New Mexico and the Downs at Albuquerque. Laguna Development Corporation was the only...

Editorial: Tribal provisions place region at casino disadvantage (11/17)

"The legislation's proviso that Indian tribes have until July to find land to build a casino in southeastern Massachusetts puts this region at a disadvantage, despite arguments to the contrary. The reality is that this...

Opinion: Big money at stake in Eastern Cherokee casino deal (11/16)

"Over the past several months, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue and Republican legislative leaders have fought over budgets, taxes, schools, economic development projects and social issues. Oh, let’s face it. They’ve fought about most everything. Don’t...

Editorial: Winning hand with Eastern Cherokee gaming deal (11/15)

"Any way the dice are rolled, gambling comes up a winner for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Now, Gov. Bev Perdue wants North Carolina to cash in on further success. She’s trying to drive...

Opinion: Passamaquoddy Tribe loses again with gaming bid (11/14)

"Voters also turned decisively against gambling with the other two referendum questions. There was a huge margin against a Lewiston casino that was a relatively late entry, but a combined plan for slot-machine "racinos" in...

Editorial: Reject expansion of non-Indian gaming in Florida (11/14)

"The ongoing debate about legislation filed in Tallahassee to allow "destination casinos" in Florida boils down to this, even though its sponsors vehemently dispute it: Do you want more personally and socially destructive gaming in...

Column: Ouster of Bay Mills leader a setback for casino plans (11/11)

"Another election was decided last week that also has an impact on Port Huron's future. Bay Mills Tribal Council Chairman Jeff Parker lost his re-election bid to newcomer Kurt Perron. Parker held the leadership position...

Letter: Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino all about greed (11/11)

"Within a short distance of Spokane, you can find four casinos (two owned by the Spokane Tribe), over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, all the slot machines, table games and high-stakes bingo any gambler...

Opinion: Chumash Tribe makes casino workers sign petition (11/10)

"The community is a buzz with the latest regarding “Camp 4” – the 1,400 acres in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley owned by the Chumash Casino tribe (Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians)....

Opinion: Time to strengthen regulation of gaming in Florida (11/10)

"I have held leadership positions with a number of civic and trade groups in South Florida, and I support destination resort casinos for our area. Florida has a long history of various gaming enterprises. Horse...

Editorial: Restrict mixed martial arts matches to tribal casino (11/08)

"With all due respect to John Naples, a Montville man in pursuit of his dream to become a successful mixed martial arts fighter, we don't consider this brutal activity a sport and urge the Connecticut...

Ask Sonny Skyhawk: Why do so many tribes operate casinos? (11/08)

"Presently, out of 566 Federally recognized tribes in the U.S, 233 tribes operate 420 casinos in 28 states. They are empowered by IGRA, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which was passed and ratified by the...

Seminole Tribe vows to kill bill for more non-Indian gaming (11/07)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida says it will work to defeat a bill that authorizes three non-Indian casinos. The tribe signed a Class III gaming compact with the state in 2010. It requires the tribe...

Opinion: Racino a boost for Passamaquoddy Tribe economy (11/07)

"In Washington County, the Passamaquoddy Tribe wants to build a racino in Calais. The tribe has sought a gaming operation for many years. Maine voters, despite approving gaming facilities in Bangor and Oxford, have rejected...

Editorial: Communities need Seneca Nation casino revenue (11/07)

"Seneca Nation leaders have held up $333 million in casino revenue payments to the state and several Western New York host communities since 2009. The Senecas claim that the state violated the terms of its...

Editorial: Vote yes on gaming for the Passamaquoddy Tribe (11/03)

"Oftentimes, the fat lady singing happens to be Lady Luck. But when it comes to the Maine 2011 ballot, the hollow cry of the recession should trump fortune’s cautionary shrill in the ears of state...

Column: Casino expansion must address Seminole compact (11/03)

"In the past month, we've had a bill filed to bring three Vegas-style casino resorts to Broward and Miami-Dade counties, a Miami slots "racino" get tentative approval to move a spinoff license to another location,...

Opinion: Greed and gaming spur disenrollments in California (11/02)

"It is one of those strange twists of fate that has been proven over and over in history: The conquered people eventually take on the worst characteristics of those who conquered them. It has manifested...

Opinion: Dry Creek Rancheria faces gaming debt deadline (11/01)

"The Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat published a story last week about the casino located in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley that was startling to most readers: the Dry Creek Pomo Tribe's River Rock Casino has...

Opinion: Minnesota politicians willing to take a gamble (10/31)

"No matter the question at the state Capitol of late, it seems, somebody says that the answer is more gambling. A Vikings stadium-casino nexus seemed to grow stronger by the day last week. Minneapolis Mayor...

Editorial: Idaho tribes shouldn't hide gaming revenues (10/31)

"In 2002, Idaho’s voters approved an initiative that required the state’s Indian tribes to donate “5 percent of its annual net gaming income for the support of local educational programs and schools on or near...

Opinion: Vote yes on a racino for Passamaquoddy Tribe (10/31)

"I am writing in support of Question 2 and Question 3 on the ballot this November. A casino in Lewiston will provide jobs and will create an economic spark that is badly needed in the...

Editorial: Don't be fooled by gaming expansion in Florida (10/28)

"State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale and Rep. Erik Fresen of Miami claim their legislation to add three destination casinos to Florida is aimed at reducing gambling in the state. But based on the...

Editorial: A win-win for law enforcement at tribal casinos (10/26)

"With relative ease, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration has reached an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes that will give them more control over public safety and regulation at their southeastern Connecticut casinos...

Letter: An easy solution to 'Fighting Sioux' debacle at UND (10/24)

"The NCAA rule dictates that the Fighting Sioux logos must be removed. This no doubt will be at North Dakota taxpayers’ expense; but there is an easy solution that can be acted on in November:...

Editorial: Expansion of non-tribal casinos is bad for Florida (10/24)

"Florida voters have rejected allowing full-fledged casinos three times at the ballot box since 1978. No matter. Key lawmakers in the House and Senate, with the tacit support of Gov. Rick Scott, are poised in...

Gary Metoxen: Tribal gaming aids economic development (10/24)

"I am 100 percent Native American Indian from the Oneida tribe of Indian’s of Wisconsin. A part of the city of Green Bay touches or is within our borders. I am now a resident of...

Editorial: Vote yes on racino for the Passamaquoddy Tribe (10/24)

"The Passamaquoddy tribe in Indian Township wants to build a racino in Washington County. To do this, it needs help from the rest of the state. Passamaquoddies are asking us to support Question 2 on...

Letter: Cowlitz Tribe trying to restore rights through gaming (10/19)

"The Cowlitz Tribe’s battle to re-establish their ancestral right of self-determination will once again be fought in a federal court in Washington, D.C. A judge will decide if trust land should be given to the...

Opinion: Dealing out the facts about more gaming in Florida (10/19)

"With the debate over casinos in Florida gaining steam, we have folks throwing out all sides of wild — and wildly conflicting — claims. One side claims casinos are the jackpot that will instantly fix...

Carl Artman: Scotts Valley Band deserves a shot at casino (10/18)

"I recently read an editorial in the Contra Costa Times (California) regarding the fee-to-trust application of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. I am concerned about the editorial board’s characterization of the Scotts Valley...

Editorial: Don't expand gaming to the heart of Disney territory (10/17)

"The Sentinel's editorial board opposed expanded gambling when it appeared on the 2004 ballot. We remain concerned about its addictive impacts; how its revenues generally don't improve public education, despite promoters' promises; how those with...

Opinion: Rincon Band negotiating a new 'treaty' for its casino (10/13)

"The nation now has many states, counties, cities, reservations and casinos. For the most part, casinos are owned by Indians, which is what Native Americans used to be called. Because the tribes have grown very...

Editorial: Spokane Tribe doesn't need off-reservation casino (10/11)

"A proposal by the Spokane Tribe for a $400 million casino is a gamble best not taken. Although understandably aggrieved by the success of the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino within their ancestral...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming won't boost Florida (10/10)

"Florida is on the cusp of becoming the Disney World of gambling. Uh, make that gaming -- sounds a little more Disney-like. This is the vision of state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, a Fort Lauderdale Republican...

Editorial: Jemez Pueblo still fighting for off-reservation casino (10/10)

"The proposal by Jemez Pueblo to build an off-reservation casino in Anthony, N.M., has now been rejected twice - first with a Republican administration in the White House and a Democrat in the governor's mansion,...

Opinion: Chumash Tribe benefits the community with its casino (10/06)

"The Chumash are the biggest donors to charities in Santa Barbara County in general and the Valley in particular. Earlier this year, the Chumash Foundation announced $148,000 in grants to a variety of nonprofits. Since...

Editorial: Too soon to bet on off-reservation casino in Michigan (10/06)

"Recent speculation aside, a casino coming to Lansing is, at this point, a remote possibility at best. Still, the community should have a chance to consider a casino as a possible means of economic development...

Column: Jeb Bush sees a shift in attitudes on gaming in Florida (10/05)

"Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush fought long and hard to keep casino expansion out of the Sunshine State during his time in office. He admitted Tuesday that times might be changing. During a meeting with...

Opinion: 'Self-righteous racism' taints Indian gaming industry (10/05)

"After years of wrangling, Massachusetts is poised to enter the casino gambling business; pending legislation would allow for three licensed casinos and one slot parlor, with the state taking a 25 percent cut of daily...

Letter: Investor whines about Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe debt (10/05)

"The state-supported gambling issue in Massacusetts is hypocritical to begin with. How can a government make private gambling illegal (presumedly because it is a nefarious and crime-related activity), yet support it when sanctioned by itself?...

Editorial: New Yorkers ready to take a gamble on more casinos (10/04)

"Having been the gaming capital of the world since the 40s, Las Vegas has had the monopoly on serious gamers and lovers of the glamorous high life for decades. That, however, could be about to...

Editorial: Gaming agency flap shows trouble for First Nations (10/03)

"Destructive politicking and resistance to overdue reforms have become so entrenched at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations that the Chiefs Assembly this week will need to act quickly to safeguard institutions that play...

Editorial: Comprehensive plan needed for gambling in Florida (10/03)

"A $3 billion resort on Miami's waterfront that could include a casino? Florida's gambling prospects certainly have gotten a lot more ambitious since a constitutional amendment in 2004 paved the way for pari-mutuel casinos. Then...

Doug Cuthand: Native leaders turning against one of their own (09/30)

"Kirk Goodtrack never thought that returning home and working for his people would result in such a backlash. But on Thursday, he was removed as chair of SIGA's board. Goodtrack is from the Wood Mountain...

Editorial: Expanding gaming off reservations bad for New York (09/30)

"If building and operating casinos off Indian reservations is Gov. Andrew Cuomo's way of boosting New York's economy, this state must be all but hopeless for economic revival. Commercial gambling is currently prohibited in New...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming a bad bet for Florida (09/30)

""We're going to take a full look at it," Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos said recently. The "it" is bringing destination resort gaming to the Sunshine State. During the 2011 Legislature, Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole,...

Opinion: An Eastern Cherokee renaissance, all thanks to casino (09/29)

"The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has a resilient, independent spirit. When the U.S. government forced the majority of the tribe to head west to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears, those who remained were...

Editorial: Support for Ute Tribe off-reservation casino in Colorado (09/28)

"Native American gambling regulations dictate that a casino must be built on tribal land, meaning it would be excluded from town and county tax rolls. Still, that doesn’t prevent Craig and Dinosaur from cashing in...

Opinion: Massachusetts well on its way to commercial gaming (09/26)

"Massachusetts is now well on its way to be the newest state in the US to allow casinos within its borders. The lower house has approved it with the votes in favour almost four times...

Column: Illegal immigrant took a gamble going to tribal casino (09/26)

"A curious thing happened to a woman on her way to a North County casino two weeks ago. Out for a night of gambling, she somehow ended up in the custody of the U.S. Border...

Opinion: Mayors back Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (09/26)

"Recently, two mayors from East Valley cities opined that the West Valley resort project being developed on unincorporated land near our West Valley cities would “set dangerous precedents” and “alter the character of the West...

Opinion: Expansion of non-Indian gaming brings social harms (09/23)

"Sullivan County, where I live, has long been, and continues to be, Ground Zero for much of the decades-old NY casino debate. The populist chant of "jobs, jobs, jobs" began there long before the 2008...

Editorial: Expanded non-Indian gaming breaks Seminole deal (09/23)

"We believe that legislators can allow "destination resorts" with slot machines, card games and roulette. Whether they should is a different matter. Gambling giants such as Genting, the Malaysian company that makes no secret of...

Column: A war over off-reservation gaming rages in Michigan (09/23)

"Our casino quest appears to be in limbo until the Bay Mills Indian Community's July 2012 federal court date. But the truth is there's a war going on. The court case of Bay Mills vs....

Opinion: An update on Internet gaming in California and beyond (09/22)

"CALIFORNIA – The California Assembly is back in session for the next several weeks, but Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has just announced that there will be no action on any of the various...

Bo Mazzetti: How Schwarzenegger violated tribal sovereignty (09/22)

"States and governors just can’t seem to control themselves; they cannot keep their hands out of tribal pockets. The concept that tribal governments have rights and financial needs has eluded them for so long they...

Opinion: The great gambling debate resurfaces in Massachusetts (09/20)

'Go to a casino on a weekday morning and you’re likely to see pitiful people who look like they can’t afford to be pumping cash into slot machines and can’t stop themselves. But go there...

Opinion: Audit of Cherokee Nation gaming enterprise open to all (09/16)

"My brother recently received a call from Bill John Baker’s campaign for Cherokee Nation principal chief. The caller told him that “Chad Smith has refused to allow the casinos to be audited for 12 years.”...

Ray Halbritter: The real story about Indian gaming in New York (09/14)

"State legislative field hearings were held last week examining whether or not the State will begin the historic process of seeking to amend the New York State Constitution to allow commercialized gambling throughout the State....

Opinion: Gaming battle in Florida paying off big for lobbyists (09/13)

"The capital seems peaceful enough, even a little sleepy in the muggy September heat. But down in the nether regions of Tallahassee, out of public view, terrible mercenaries prepare for the coming battle. Call it...

Editorial: Ruling on gaming authority a blow to First Nations (09/13)

'For the second time in the past two weeks, a court has ordered a Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN)created body to heed its own rules and reinstate a senior official who has been suspended...

Opinion: Hypocrisy over tribal gaming plan in Massachusetts (09/13)

"State lawmakers are set to debate yet another casino bill this week, including whether or not the Mashpee Wampanoag ought to be given special consideration. Granted, the Mashpee tribe shot itself in the foot over...

Opinion: Passamaquoddy racino a boost for Maine economy (09/12)

"At the University of Maine’s Animal and Veterinary Science Program, I’m lucky enough to work with some of the brightest college students anywhere. Some of them are headed for careers as large animal veterinarians, researchers,...

Opinion: Good luck with off-reservation casinos in California (09/12)

"Yes, it really has been nine years since the proponents of Yuba County casino showed up at a Board of Supervisors meeting on July 2, 2002, and announced their intentions. It was quite an odd...

Editorial: Legalized gaming still a bad bet in Massachusetts (09/12)

"Is casino gambling an economic cure for Massachusetts? We’re not putting our money on it. As we slog through the after-effects of the worst economic slowdown since the Great Depression, and a job market that...

Turtle Talk: Toward a new option of revenue sharing for tribes (09/08)

"Indian gaming is heading for bad news, if it isn’t already there. Indian tribes defending their share of big gaming markets are paying off states, lobbyists (and the federal Reps and Senators linked to them),...

Opinion: Approve live card dealers at Eastern Cherokee casino (09/08)

"Been to the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino? Even if you don’t gamble, I’d encourage a walk through. My bet is you’d be absolutely astounded at what is happening in Cherokee. I took a media tour a...

Editorial: Deny another off-reservation casino bid in California (09/08)

"While we're pleased that the federal government last week hammered what should be the final nail in the coffin of a proposal for Nevada-style urban gaming in Richmond, its continued silence on a similar plan...

Editorial: Gaming bill gives free pass for Massachusetts tribes (09/08)

"After years of false starts, legislative leaders and Governor Patrick hammered out a new agreement behind closed doors last month to bring casino gambling to Massachusetts. It’s a deeply disappointing bill, full of just the...

Editorial: Proceed with caution on Eastern Cherokee compact (09/07)

"If you’ve got a goose laying golden eggs, jobs one, two and three are to make sure you don’t kill it. That’s the simple equation that should be in play regarding the negotiations between Gov....

Opinion: Tribal casino in Massachusetts unlikely without land fix (09/06)

"As lawmakers on Beacon Hill move closer to ending their decade-long dance with legalizing casino gambling, one unusual aspect of the leadership’s casino bill has been getting plenty of attention. Following a request from Gov....

Column: Mississippi Choctaws report boost in gaming revenues (09/06)

"With all the gloom and doom surrounding the gaming business, (unless you own a Macau casino) Pearl River Resort continues to buck the bad economy with some strong projections for 2012. Here is a thumbnail...

Column: Outlook improving for Internet gaming on Capitol Hill (09/05)

"Based on headlines alone, 2011 has been a bad year for Internet poker. Federal indictments in April shut down three of the largest online poker sites that catered to Americans. Other popular Web portals cut...

Opinion: Some California tribes left behind in push for gaming (09/05)

"It's pretty easy to judge people you don't know, it's much harder to get to know them. Prejudging people publicly is easy these days. Read a news story on the Internet and feel free to...

Larry Romanelli: Off-reservation casino good for state's economy (09/05)

"The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians remains committed to pursuing a casino in Muskegon County, which is part of our traditional land. While we are disappointed with Gov. Rick Snyder's recent comments made to...

Opinion: Look at all sides of Menominee off-reservation casino (09/02)

"As a former kennel owner at Dairyland Greyhound Park, I am interested in the casino approval. I would like to correct Mr. Werwie on his rhetoric. He said the governor would consider three factors regarding...

Opinion: Don't bet on Menominee off-reservation casino plan (09/01)

"By the time Kenosha gets a casino, if it ever happens, casinos might be so commonplace they aren’t worth much. Illinois has plans for five more casinos plus slot machines at horse-racing tracks and at...

Opinion: Readers react to off-reservation gaming in Michigan (09/01)

"Gov. Rick Snyder is opposed to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians proposed casino in Fruitport Township in part because it's for non-tribal lands, which he said could open up uncontrolled expansion of gambling...

Outlook: Gaming at issue land-into-trust applications pile up (08/31)

"How did tribal gaming in the United States go from Cabazon to Carcieri? Two decades of muddled legal decisions — Seminole, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Rincon, to name but a few — wrought by its...

Delvin Cree: Turtle Mountain leaders bet too much on gaming (08/31)

"In the fall of 2012, right before our next tribal elections, the expansion of our casino and hotel should be completed. This new venture by our tribal council is hoped to add more jobs in...

Opinion: Unnecessary delay on Internet gaming in California (08/30)

"On August 22, 2011, California State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg sent a letter announcing that the bills to legalize intra-state Internet poker would not be voted on this year. The letter was also...

Column: Matheson gets a second shot at Coeur d'Alene casino (08/29)

"Former Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman and Casino Executive (1994-2006) David Matheson, is back in a seat of prominence, his old job as Casino executive, after five years of acrimonious litigation full of charges and counter-charges...

Editorial: Tribal interests put ahead of others in Massachusetts (08/29)

"Gov. Deval Patrick and the state's two most powerful lawmakers — Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray — might finally have managed to produce a casino gambling bill all three...

Editorial: Osage Nation earns trust status for gaming facilities (08/26)

"Leaders of the Osage Nation must have breathed a sigh of relief this week when they received confirmation that their applications to put the sites of three casinos into trust status have been approved by...

Opinion: FBI a tool in war of intimidation against online gaming (08/25)

"The war of intimidation from the federal Department of Justice (DoJ) against Internet gambling has now reached the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is no minor issue. I have taught classes to the FBI, including...

Editorial: Gaming bill offers boost to economy in Massachusetts (08/25)

"Given the several years the matter has been a prime topic of discussion on Beacon Hill, the bill authorizing casino gambling in the Bay State released by the joint legislative Committee on Economic Development and...

Editorial: New gaming legislation a better bet for Massachusetts (08/24)

"A gambling bill unveiled on Beacon Hill yesterday could be the ticket to breaking the resort casino logjam we saw last year. The new bill would allow the state to license three resort casinos and...

Editorial: New York governor proposes 'solution' to gaming needs (08/22)

"When it comes to allowing more casinos in New York — including finally getting one built in the Catskills — Gov. Andrew Cuomo's suggestion is not nearly as unique as it is abundantly feasible and...

Bo Mazzetti: Rincon Band negotiating new Class III gaming compact (08/19)

"Currently, we have an immediate opportunity to improve roads, public safety, fire and other government services in San Diego County at no cost to taxpayers. This can be achieved by redirecting revenue sharing dollars generated...

Opinion: Rick Perry is the worst candidate for Internet gambling (08/19)

"Big names and big casino operators which in the past were against the idea of having the online gambling industry legalized in the United States have turned the page and have begun to show their...

Opinion: Gaming won't spur economic development in New York (08/18)

"OK, I recently bought two Powerball lottery tickets (when the jackpot is $200 million or more, I think it's worth $2). But I am completely opposed to legalizing non-Indian casinos and pretending that blackjack is...

Editorial: There's no rush to legalize Internet poker in California (08/18)

"The push to legalize Internet gambling in California is a special-interest debate, with no public interest at stake. Legislators should insist that the state find answers to the many questions that surround the idea before...

Editorial: Don't ignore Shinnecock Nation in debate over gaming (08/16)

"When an experienced poker player is dealt a winning hand, his next move is to fatten the pot. That must be the plan behind Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's call for a comprehensive strategy to determine...

Column: Expanded gaming can create more benefits for Florida (08/15)

"There’s a huge boon to the state economy at our disposal, and all we have to do is say “yes” to legalized casino gambling in Florida. According to the American Gaming Association (2010 figures), the...

Commentary: Don't rush to expand gaming options in New York (08/15)

"Here we go again with another throw of the dice at expanding true casino gambling in New York. Turning us into another slot machine state with the major culture change that goes with it has...

Editorial: Gaming creates an 'illusion' of economic development (08/11)

"Gov. Cuomo has floated the possibility of legalizing casinos in New York in a much-needed rethinking of the state's gambling policy. He is absolutely right that New York's constitutional ban on casino gaming has become...

Michael Toledo: Off-reservation casino a path to self-sufficiency (08/09)

"The Pueblo of Jemez must pursue economic development opportunities to meet the needs of our tribal community. Our pueblo has close to 4,000 members, and we are 95 percent dependent upon federal grants. This is...

Editorial: Apply state law to Port Gamble S'Klallam casino plans (08/08)

"Commendably, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe plans to use low-impact development techniques and an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient building design in its new, 52,000-square-foot casino. But at the same time, they have not provided assurances...

Editorial: Reject an off-reservation casino for Los Coyotes Band (08/05)

"California voters never approved building tribal casinos at whatever site might get the most business. Tribes should confine gambling operations to reservations, not search for more lucrative locations. The governor and Legislature should reject a...

Editorial: Gaming money behind Graton Rancheria's 'donation' (08/04)

"Enter the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, who have agreed to donate $500,000 to support a long-term plan for Tolay Lake Regional Park. County park officials say the tribe's donation, combined with $300,000 from the...

Opinion: Barstow jumps back into off-reservation casino game (08/03)

"With the announcement last week that Interior is going to conduct public hearings on long-stalled casino development in Barstow, California, the City is once again a prominent player in the next round of gaming in...

Opinion: Elk Valley Rancheria really angry at ex-gaming partner (08/02)

"Another gaming tribe feels that it has been exploited by a non-Indian gaming company with which it contracted for casino development and management services. While various tribes have tried to move on, one is aggressively...

Opinion: Chumash Tribe could use new land for another casino (07/29)

"About two weeks ago, a coalition of citizen groups did a red-alert email blast to update Santa Ynez Valley residents and neighbors regarding the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash casino tribe’s efforts to put their...

Opinion: Obama opens the door to off-reservation gaming bids (07/26)

"On June 14, the Department of the Interior publicly announced a new policy governing the Department's acceptance of off-reservation land into trust for gaming pursuant to Section 20(b)(1)A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of...

Opinion: Asian gaming giant concerned about Shinnecock Nation (07/25)

"Genting is the Malaysian global gaming juggernaut that has been working on gaming projects within the United States for several years and finally appears to be on the verge of opening its first domestic casino...

Opinion: Raid on Mississippi Choctaw casino tied to non-Indians (07/22)

"An FBI investigation of Mississippi Choctaw gaming facilities involves the tribe's ties to two Atlanta companies. Mercury Gaming Group and its marketing arm, the Titan Agency, are a focus of the investigation, according to a...

Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe is responsible with casino liquor (07/21)

"When the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors met on July 5, one of the items on their agenda was to discuss withdrawing their protest of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ application for...

Opinion: Minnesota tribes desperate to preserve casino monopoly (07/21)

"It has been 22 years since state-tribal compacts established casino-style “gaming” at Indian casinos and nowhere else in this land of 12,000 or so lakes. Surveys shows 70 percent to 80 percent of Minnesotans approve...

Editorial: Something just not right at Mississippi Choctaw casino (07/21)

"Something is rotten in the state of Choctaw. Or certainly so it seems following the FBI raid recently on the Indian tribe’s casino complex near Philadelphia. Federal officials aren’t saying what the raid is about,...

I. Nelson Rose: Sworn enemies come together on Internet gaming (07/19)

"Leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parties in the Senate have sent the U.S. Attorney General a letter demanding that the Justice Department do something about Internet gambling. What, exactly, is up to the reader....

Ned Norris: Tohono O'odham Nation confirms right to build casino (07/19)

"Two and a half years ago, the Tohono O'odham Nation announced plans for a major economic development project adjacent to Peoria and Glendale. The West Valley Resort will create 6,000 construction jobs and more than...

Editorial: NIGC is wrong to reject Fond du Lac casino agreement (07/15)

"The deal that allowed a tribal casino to open and operate in the middle of downtown Duluth (unheard of!) has been quite the boon for the city and for the Fond du Lac Band of...

Opinion: Corruption and FBI's raid on Mississippi Choctaw casino (07/15)

"Two days have passed since federal authorities launched an investigation at Mississippi Choctaw casinos, and we still don't know what prompted the action. When news broke on Tuesday afternoon of an FBI raid at the...

Letter: Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck shouldn't play Oneida casino (07/15)

"On its website, the Oneida Indian Nation (OIN) states, "It’s time for the truth — straight up, whether you like it or not. Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck are teaming up and going on tour....

Column: Chumash Tribe doesn't deserve liquor license at casino (07/15)

"The recent 3-2 decision by the Board of Supervisors to allow expansion of alcohol sales at the Chumash Casino and Resort in Santa Ynez was stunning. Remember, casino tribes do not pay taxes like other...

Dear Snoqualmie Tribe: Your casino concerts are really too loud (07/13)

"To the Snoqualmie Casino, Tribe: the issue is the same. I still do not get to choose whether I feel, hear, and know your noise. Even if (outdoor concerts are held) fewer times this summer...

Opinion: Seminole Tribe lures in the 'pale-faces' with gambling (07/12)

"James Fenimore Cooper's historical novel The Last of the Mohicans concludes with Tamenund (1628-98), the tribal leader of an Indian clan in the Delaware Valley, lamenting the pain of old age and the near-extinction of...

Harlan McKosato: Jemez Pueblo seeks entry in gaming market (07/11)

"Tucked away in the Jemez Mountains on N.M. 4 is the Jemez Pueblo, or Walatowa. It is far away from the city lights of Santa Fe and the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque. That's what...

Editorial: Report outlines benefits of Eastern Cherokee gaming (07/11)

"Eight percent of all wages and 5 percent of all jobs in Jackson and Swain counties are generated by a single employer, Harrah's Cherokee Casino. Imagine how hard-hit those counties would be were the casino...

Janice Jessen: Winnebago Tribe supports economy with casino (07/11)

"I don't normally respond to ignorance but there's been a lot of ignorance on the local and national level regarding Native American tribes. A Letter published in the Journal on July 3 headlined "Offended by...

Editorial: Judge Jemez Pueblo off reservation casino on its merits (07/07)

"New Mexico State University continues to show admiral restraint on an issue that could bring, or not, multi-millions of dollars to its Foundation. It has not jumped in, nor opined, regarding a proposed major Indian...

Editorial: Hold Chumash Tribe casino to same standard as others (07/07)

"Big businesses have big impacts on the communities in which they operate — a fact that has become abundantly clear to Santa Ynez Valley residents. Around here, as businesses and impacts go, they don’t come...

Column: Off-reservation casino battle heating up in New Mexico (07/06)

"The battle is hot and heavy over whether southern New Mexico needs another Indian casino. Jemez Pueblo has been trying for years to get clearance to open a casino near Anthony 300 miles to the...

Joseph Manuel: Carcieri fix is not about off-reservation gaming (07/05)

I recently went to Washington, D.C. to support legislative efforts to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take lands into trust for all federally-recognized Indian tribes; or what is commonly referred...

Editorial: Tribes heading for showdown on off-reservation casino (07/05)

"There is a reason why supporters of a new gambling casino, to be built upon newly created tribal "trust land," repeatedly cite the city of Glendale, or the state Legislature, as opponents of their venture....

Opinion: Jemez Pueblo off-reservation casino is far from reality (07/01)

"Your recent article titled “Change Boosts Jemez Casino” misses the mark by miles – about 300 miles, to be exact. The Obama administration withdrew a Bush era policy that said what everyone already knows and...

Opinion: President Obama turns pro-casino with administration (06/30)

"When he was a state senator in Illinois, Barack Obama was skeptical to the point of downright hostility toward casinos. His opposition was still in evidence in the earliest stages of his presidential candidacy. The...

Editorial: Decision makes California play fair with tribal casinos (06/28)

"Not long after he took office in 2003, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offered Indian tribes a deal his administration believed was a win for both sides: They could add hundreds of slot machines to their...

Editorial: Seneca Nation being a good neighbor with its casino (06/23)

"Anyone who supports the establishment of a permanent gambling casino in downtown Buffalo has to be pleased by the announcement that the Seneca Nation of Indians wants to become a force in the development of...

Opinion: Tribes hearing good news on off-reservation gaming (06/22)

"Good news for the nation's casino-developing Indian tribes. President Obama has thrown out a directive from former President George W. Bush that crippled off-reservation casino development. Not so-good news: Financing for new casino construction remains...

Column: Off-reservation casino battle shifts to appeals court (06/20)

"As it turns out, the breaking news last week about a possible casino in Port Huron did not emerge from Washington D.C. Nope, the real scoop took place quietly at a federal courthouse in Cincinnati....

Opinion: Expansion of gaming poses threat to Arizona tribes (06/13)

"The June 4 My Turn "Allowing 'racinos' in Arizona would stimulate economy," (Opinions) suggested racetracks be allowed to offer casino gaming. As the former director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, I absolutely disagree. Arizona...

Blog: Ex-Alabama governor asked to testify in gaming trial (06/10)

"Before Bob Riley motorcycles north to Alaska this summer, he might have to drive south to the federal courthouse in Montgomery as a witness in the bingo corruption trial. VictoryLand dog track and bingo casino...

Vincent Armenta: Santa Ynez Band shares gaming revenue (06/09)

"When the Special Distribution Fund (SDF) was established with the tribal compacts in 1999, it was designed in part to reimburse local governments impacted by tribal casinos. And it has certainly done that. Last week,...

Opinion: A win-win gaming scenario with Narragansett Tribe (06/08)

"One of the first examples used in collaborative-bargaining training is that of two parties arguing over who gets to use a bag of oranges. Upon examination, it turns out that one party wanted the juice...

Editorial: There's money in Little River off-reservation casino (06/08)

"$2.6 million: That's the amount the new Gun Lake Casino will pay out to local and state governments in revenue sharing after its first two months of operation. Of that amount, $515,871 will go to...

Opinion: Lobbyist seeks to protect tribal gaming monopoly (06/07)

"An abhorrent "counterpoint" in the StarTribune, Minneapolis's mainstream daily, by a longtime Minnesota casino lobbyist, is the very definition of demagoguery. Lobbyist John McCarthy's ad hominem attack on me, personally, while distorting the history of...

Editorial: Northern Arapaho Tribe defies odds with casinos (06/06)

"For many years, Wyoming fought tooth and nail against tribal efforts to establish casino-style gambling on the Wind River Indian Reservation. But in 2011, with Indian gambling here to stay in Wyoming and bringing much-needed...

Editorial: Obama's short-sighted view on gaming compacts (06/06)

"The Obama administration has sided with a California Indian tribe in a case with significant ramifications for the future of tribe-owned casinos and the state's authority to oversee those operations. It's a shortsighted stand that...

Editorial: St. Regis Mohawk Tribe should go beyond gaming (05/23)

"The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe recently issued a report showing that gaming on the reservation contributed $30 million toward community programs and services over the past two years. That is certainly substantial, but what does...

Column: South Dakota puts on game face for Iowa casino (05/13)

"As a community conversation editor, I couldn't have landed in a better spot during the recent Visitor Industry Luncheon sponsored by the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau. Spotting an empty chair at a back-row...

Opinion: County falls victim to off-reservation gaming scam (05/09)

"Any attorney practicing Indian Gaming Law has either received or knows a colleague who has received "The Phone Call." It usually goes something like this: "Let's find some Indians, create a tribe, and build a...

Opinion: California's opportunity to legalize Internet gaming (05/09)

"The Bee's editorial board said that the legalization of the Internet gambling was inevitable but "there are many unanswered questions, and no need to rush." In fact, many questions have been answered. And, this issue...

Commentary: Kalispel Tribe nervous about Spokane casino (05/05)

"Nick Pierre can still taste it. Growing up as a Kalispel Indian — a tiny tribe with a tiny reservation in the impoverished northeast corner of Washington — he didn’t even have drinkable water on...

Steve Cadue: Paper's bias against Indian gaming in Kansas (05/04)

Ed. Note: Steve Cadue is a former chairman of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. "It was interesting to read the recent Capital-Journal editoral headlined “Time to torch casino exemption,” which chided the Legislature for hypocrisy...

John McCarthy: The race card in Minnesota's racino debate (05/04)

"It is sad to see that at least some of the support for gambling expansion comes from "old Indian fighters" whose trademark is hate speech against Native Americans. The April 29 commentary by Gary Larson...

Column: Odds look good for non-Indian gaming in Minnesota (05/02)

"This week, gambling has been in the news again because the majority down at the Capitol, having put itself in the untenable position of balancing the state’s budget without taking in any new tax revenue,...

Column: Vegas developers lobby for more gaming in Florida (05/02)

"Florida continues to be the gaming industry's Holy Grail. And, like the line from the Monty Python movie, casino expansion advocates hope the issue is not dead yet. There's too much money to be made...

Editorial: Narragansett Tribe seeks to cash in with a casino (05/02)

"The Narragansett Tribe has expressed an understandable interest in acquiring Twin River, the financially troubled slots emporium upon which Rhode Island relies for more than $250 million a year in revenue. Native American tribes in...

Opinion: Minnesota tribes trying to keep gaming monopoly (04/29)

"Untaxed casino profits propelled protesters to the State Capitol on Tuesday, where they rallied against what they call "expanded gambling." Carloads of naysayers gathered on a cold, rainy day to preserve the tax-free stranglehold on...

Harold Monteau: NIGA should live up to Buy Indian pledge (04/29)

"Congratulations to Ernie Stevens, Jr. on his victory for another term as President of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). The numbers speak for themselves. The other candidates are to be congratulated too, for being...

Column: Abuse of earmarks paved a path for Lytton casino (04/28)

"A classic example of an earlier abuse of this process is the enactment of a bill entitled the “Omnibus Indian Advancement Act” enacted in 2000. Congressman Miller, representing that area of Contra Costa County where...

Opinion: US stepped over the line with Internet poker raid (04/25)

"Can a government be charged with war crimes, if the war is only one of intimidation? The U.S. federal Department of Justice isn’t blowing up buses. No one has died. But while Palestinian terrorists can...

Sen. Feinstein: Defending bill for off-reservation gaming (04/25)

"Let me be clear: The Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act makes no changes to the right of tribes to open new casinos on existing in trust land, on contiguous land, or on land near where tribes...

Editorial: Establish a consistent gambling policy in Maine (04/25)

"After more than a decade of referendums on gambling, some of them successful, most of them not, it is time for a better approach that ensures future gaming facilities — which are inevitable —- are...

Letter: Objections to Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino (04/21)

"As a West Plains business owner and major employer, I am concerned with the significant policy implications the Spokane Tribe’s proposed casino could have at the local, state and federal level. This casino would be...

Opinion: Tribes playing a big role in Internet gaming debate (04/20)

"Some proponents of internet gaming have used what I will refer to as the “Netflix argument” to urge Indian tribes to support various proposals to legalize internet gaming, even if the terms of the legislation...

Editorial: Pechanga Band's moral obligation in casino deal (04/18)

"What happens now in Temecula's battle with the Pechanga Indians over the tribe's refusal to abide by the spirit of a contract it signed with the city? Of course, it should be noted that the...

Editorial: Jemez off-reservation casino deserves a chance (04/18)

"When the Jemez Pueblo of northern New Mexico announced plans in 2004 to build an off-reservation casino near Anthony, N.M., we were concerned that approval could open the floodgates for tribes and pueblos throughout New...

Column: Bay Mills chair eyes a new off-reservation casino (04/18)

"It might sound optimistic to the edge of delusional, but the longtime leader of the Bay Mills Indian Community says he expects the tribe will open a casino in Port Huron within the next 15...

Joe Valandra: Attacking tribal sovereignty through gaming (04/15)

"About 24 years ago, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in response to our victory in the Cabazon case before the U.S. Supreme Court. We suddenly had a vehicle by which to perhaps find...

Editorial: Restrict ability for tribes to 'spawn' new casinos (04/15)

"A beneficial aspect of the unique historical relationship between Native American tribes and Congress is that it treats the tribes as sovereign nations, which is to say, with dignity. The Tohono O'odham Nation's pursuit of...

Letter: Mississippi Choctaws seeing record gaming revenue (04/11)

"In Gary Pettus' article on the upcoming election by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Kevin Edwards criticizes Miko Beasley Denson and the Tribal achievements at Pearl River Resort. Facts are facts. Pearl River Resort...

Editorial: Keep pressure to prevent urban casinos in California (04/08)

"In a surprise move, the Richmond City Council voted 5-2 early Wednesday to stop the Point Molate casino project, which would have included a casino, hotel, convention center, ferry terminal parks and housing. What's next:...

Marge Anderson: Expanded gaming will harm Minnesota tribes (04/06)

"For much of my life, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe was one of the poorest tribes in the country. There were few job opportunities in east central Minnesota for band members on the reservation,...

Column: Internet gambling is coming to California soon enough (04/06)

"California voters long ago unleashed the gambling genie, approving the lottery in 1984 and Indian casinos in 2000. But get ready for more. In time, all manner of wagering will become legal over the Internet....

Column: Spokane Tribe gaming compact not a model agreement (04/05)

"Now comes another myth – that in exchange for campaign donations, Gov. Chris Gregoire rejected a tribal gambling compact requiring the Spokane Tribe of Indians share its profits with state and local government. Like all...

Column: Don't bet on an expansion of gaming in Lone Star State (04/05)

"The phrase, "all hat, no cattle" depicts someone who is big on talk but little on substance. The term also best describes the prospects for gaming expansion in Texas. Gambling proponents have put forward a...

Opinion: Internet gambling will bring big revenues to California (04/04)

"In the time it takes you to read this sentence, several hundred thousand people in the United States will have played a hand of poker. They are not gathered around green felt tables in casinos...

Column: Bay Mills Indian Community ready to battle for casino (04/04)

"Last week, the chief judge of the federal courts in Grand Rapids ordered the Bay Mills Chippewa to close an unlicensed casino near Interstate 75 in Vanderbilt. "Little Traverse Bay has clearly established a substantial...

Spokane Chair: Off-reservation casino a step forward for region (04/04)

"From time immemorial, the Spokane Tribe of Indians lived and raised families across the many miles of the Spokane River Basin, including the current city lands of Spokane and Airway Heights. This region makes up...

Column: Down but not out for a Bay Mills off-reservation casino (04/01)

"After a decade-long struggle, Port Huron's dream of landing a casino on the city's waterfront just went up in smoke again. Or did it? The Bay Mills Indian Community and casino developer Mike Malik were...

Opinion: Key issues for tribal governments and Internet gaming (04/01)

"Legalized Internet gaming: opportunity or threat? Efforts in Congress last year to pass a federal Internet gaming bill failed, but a new bill was introduced in the House on March 17 and it is anticipated...

Editorial: Don't give up on Bay Mills off-reservation casino bid (03/31)

"A court injunction that forced Vanderbilt's casino to close Tuesday is a blow to the Bay Mills Indian Community -- and Port Huron. Those who believe this is the end of the matter, though, are...

Editorial: Joint tribal-state casino a better idea for Minnesota (03/29)

"Tribal casino operations near the Twin Cities are well enough established to hold their own against some new competition, meaning that some members of a historically abused and disadvantaged people will continue to benefit. This...

Editorial: Little River Band's off-reservation casino a sure bet (03/29)

"The Little River Band recently paid off the debt on its 425,000-square-foot Manistee casino, resort and convention center, which puts it in a good position for future economic development opportunities, like its Muskegon County casino...

Opinion: There's definitely room for more gaming in Minnesota (03/28)

"Best estimates are that racinos would bring in more than $125 million annually and create thousands of badly needed jobs in the construction, hospitality and agriculture industries in our state, all without increasing anyone's taxes....

Column: Breaking the monopoly of tribal gaming in Minnesota (03/25)

"A de facto monopoly lives on, 21 years now after compacts, or agreements, between the State of Minnesota and indigenous Indian tribes. Until, possibly, this legislative session. Under 1989 compacts, a stranglehold on casino-style "gaming"...

Opinion: Electronic bingo controversy just won't die in Alabama (03/22)

"In the past week, the charity bingo issue has raised it ugly electronic head, again. It'll be interesting to see how Gov. Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange handle the latest events. First, Greenetrack...

Editorial: Florida deserves more benefits from casino industry (03/21)

"Florida is a gamblers' state that continues to cheat itself out of the big benefits of the gambling industry. We should be nurturing the development of world-class casinos that generate jobs from their construction and...

Editorial: Texans deserve a vote on legalized casino gambling (03/18)

"First, let’s dispense with a common misconception: The Texas Legislature cannot simply pass a bill that would legalize casino gambling in our fair state. Only a majority of registered Texas voters can do that. Oh,...

Blog: City spends $1.3M to fight Tohono O'odham Nation casino (03/16)

"Tohono O'odham Nation is a native band that is planning to build a casino inside Glendale’s city limits. The city spent the last two years and $1.3-million (and counting) fighting Tohono O’odham in court. And...

Ray Cook: Plenty of room for St. Regis Mohawk gaming expansion (03/14)

There is some opposition to the idea of expanding the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's casino and with that expansion the addition of a hotel, one that would be owned and managed and operated by us...

Opinion: California tribes push to legalize Internet poker games (03/09)

"Because of its huge potential market, California is in an unparalleled position. It could legalize intrastate online poker and be assured that there would be enough players — and enough players who would play for...

Kevin Leecy: Non-Indian racino will take jobs from tribal facilities (03/09)

"Backers of the project touted the jobs they said the racino would create. What they failed to point out was that these hypothetical jobs would come at the expense of hundreds of existing ones. That’s...

Editorial: It's time to renegotiate casino compacts in Minnesota (03/08)

"John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, visited with the board and offered reasons why MIGA, which represents 9 of 11 Minnesota tribes, doesn’t think a racino is a good idea. Revenue...

Editorial: Oklahoma tribal gaming contributes to state economy (03/07)

"Seven years later, approval of State Question 712 continues to pay off nicely for Oklahoma Indian tribes, and for the state. SQ 712, on the ballot in November 2004, asked Oklahomans whether they wanted to...

Editorial: Ruling on off-reservation casino ignores consequences (03/07)

"No one should be shocked at the federal-court decision upholding an Interior Department ruling that land near Glendale should become part of a southern Arizona tribe's trust land. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Campbell...

Robert Porter: Seneca Nation still committed to Buffalo casino (02/25)

"Recent meetings that Seneca Nation officials and I have held with city and county leaders, developers, business executives, foundation members and waterfront stakeholders encouraged me to believe there is a new spirit of cooperation and...

Michigan Tribes: Bay Mills off-reservation casino flouts the law (02/25)

"The Bay Mills Indian Community opened an illegal casino in Vanderbilt as a test case to open more casinos in Flint and Port Huron. This reckless action to open off-reservation casinos violates long-established federal and...

Editorial: County rightly worried about Mishewal Wappo casino (02/22)

"Earlier this month, a contingent of Napa Valley politicians and business people traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby for legislation to further protect our region against development. Specifically, against the potential development that recognition of...