Bill to reopen tribal casinos advances in Texas

Wednesday, February 28, 2007  

A bill that would allow the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to reopen their casinos was approved by the Texas State House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence on Tuesday.

The two tribes were forced to close their casinos in response to a lawsuit by the state. Both fall under special acts of Congress that apply state law to their reservations.

Some forms of gaming, however, are legal in Texas. But the state has refused to negotiate a compact with the tribes.

The bill would change state law to authorize Class III gaming on reservations. In exchange, the tribes would contribute 5 percent of revenues to a college grant program

Get the Story:
Bill that would reopen Speaking Rock moves on (The El Paso Times 2/27)
Tigua makes case for reopening casino (AP 2/27)