"Given the billions of dollars at stake, it's not a surprise that about 200 Indian tribes have petitioned the federal government for official recognition of their tribes. With such recognition comes the ability to open casinos, which explains why such tribes often seek high-powered lobbying help.

In response, U.S. Rep. John Campbell, R-Irvine, has proposed a bill that would put a 25-year moratorium on casino building after any tribe receives federal recognition. In Mr. Campbell's view, "This bill would ensure that if people are going to ask to be recognized as a tribe, the reason they're doing it is to preserve their cultural heritage and not to establish a casino that other people can't."

Indian gaming was first established to provide economic help to long-impoverished and often-mistreated people living far off the beaten path. Now, we see bitter debates as various factions argue over who is the rightful representative of the tribe. We see enormous dollars being used to influence the political process to gain and protect special privileges. And we see reservation-shopping, as tribes try to secure urban parcels that may have nothing to do with their historic tribal lands but have everything to do with potential casino revenue.

While we would prefer legislation that would end the practice, Mr. Campbell's proposed bill seems a reasonable start."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Putting heritage ahead of casinos (The Orange County Register 10/7)