"South Dakota tribes were smart to withdraw a threat against Gov. Mike Rounds - and other South Dakotans.

But they have a point, and it's one that ought to be considered.

The 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives tribes the right to conduct gambling operations, but they only can do so after reaching agreements with their states. Five tribes in South Dakota have such agreements, but they want to negotiate new deals - called "compacts" - so they can expand. They also want longer compacts, which would make it easier to use the gambling operations to encourage investors for economic development.

So far, the state has stalled such talks - even, as the tribes point out, slot machines in Deadwood have increased by more than 2,000 since 1990, and video lottery terminals across the state have grown by more than 6,000."

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Editorial: Renegotiate gambling compacts (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/21)