Presidential candidates accept gaming dollars

Tuesday, March 18, 2008  

The three presidential candidates have accepted over $180,000 in campaign contributions from gaming interests, The Boston Globe reports.

Citing figures from the Center for Responsive Politics, the paper said Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona accepted $102,200 from gaming and casinos interests. Of this amount, $3,250 came from tribes.

Democrat Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York has accepted $120,675 in gaming contributions, the paper said. Of that, $52,025 came from tribes.

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois accepted $43,800 from gaming interests, according to the Globe. Of this, $17,600 came from tribes.

McCain co-wrote the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. But in recent years, he has taken a tough stance on tribal casino issues, including an attempt to restrict off-reservation gaming and impose more burdens on tribes.

Clinton has supported the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's off-reservation casino in New York. She has voted against a moratorium on the federal recognition of new tribes, many of which -- like the Mashpee Wampanoag of Massachusetts -- are seeking casinos.

As an Illinois state senator, Obama has warned of the "moral and social cost of gambling." His campaign says he supports Indian gaming and he is the only candidate who has repeatedly talked about Indian issues on the campaign trail.

The Mashpees has filed a land-into-trust application for two parcels -- one for gaming and one for other purposes. The Globe said it couldn't find a similar case in which a newly recognized tribe has tried to have two parcels of land placed in trust simultaneously.

Get the Story:
Casino no done deal for tribal leaders (The Boston Globe 3/18)