Opinion: It's time Congress cleans up gaming mess

Monday, January 23, 2006  

"Dismayed citizens whisper of skyrocketing crime due to casinos, particularly high drug activity; drunk driving and high-speed chases; of kids exposed to gambling, alcohol and drugs; of spoiled environments and destroyed habitats. Local officials, who should be protecting these citizens, are often bought off.

All of which has ultimately proved most damaging to the very people tribal sovereignty and gambling were supposed to help. One Indian commentator, David Yeagley, has already predicted that casinos will cause Indians to lose their tribal status and their reservations. "Casinos will destroy Indians," he has written. "The American people will call for the government to eliminate the reservations completely. Laws will ensue. It's just a matter of time."

In the wake of Jack Abramoff, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., has already called for comprehensive reform of Indian gaming law, as well as a two-year moratorium on casino expansion. Given the corruption that the failed experiment has created, that seems like a no-brainer.

Indeed, Congress created this mess. It's time Congress cleaned it up."

Get the Story:
Jan Golab: Indian gaming woes (The Los Angeles Daily News 1/22)