Decision called setback for off-reservation gaming

Tuesday, May 24, 2005  

The Bush administration's rejection of a compact in Oregon is being called a setback for off-reservation gaming.

The Warm Springs Tribe and Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) agreed on an off-reservation casino near Portland. But in a letter [PDF], the Interior Department said it came up with a new interpretation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that bars approval of the compact because the land is not yet in trust.

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, said the decision was the right one. Rep. David Wu (D-Oregon), who opposes the casino and tried to stop off-reservation gaming through a rider in the Interior appropriations bill, said it shows the concern over off-reservation casinos.

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A setback for off-reservation tribal gambling (AP 5/24)