"Congress is finally moving to limit the ability of Indian tribes to build off-reservation casinos.

It's been a problem for years, as non-Indian investors have increasingly sought to control Indian gambling businesses.

Congress failed to act as non-Indian investors increased their involvement in tribal gambling. With abuses on the rise, however, demands for reform are getting attention.

"Instead of seeking to bring economic development to the Indian reservation, they have instead sought to bring the Indian reservation to wherever there is economic development," said U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, the California Republican who is chairman of the House Resources Committee.

Pombo's committee voted 27-9 this week to approve legislation that would amend the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. The amendment would eliminate an exception that allows tribes to build off-reservation casinos with the approval of the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (which has authority over tribal matters) and a state's governor.

Tribes would now be required to enter a "memorandum of understanding" with local communities, ensuring the tribe pays for infrastructure, public safety and other costs.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was meant to help rural tribes with economic development. It was not meant to allow non-Indian investors to exploit tribes and the federal recognition system."

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Editorial: Reforms to protect tribes, communities gain support in Congress (The Danbury News Times 7/29)