BIA rule restricts off-reservation gaming

Friday, July 18, 2008  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has published a regulation that makes it harder to acquire land for off-reservation casinos.

The rule implements Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The section bars casinos on land acquired after 1988 unless certain exceptions are met.

If none of the exceptions apply, a tribe can pursue an off-reservation casino with the state's approval. The rule sets a 25-mile radius for consulting local officials and nearby tribes but does not bar tribes from seeking casinos away from existing reservations.

The rule goes into effect in September.

Get the Story:
BIA sets 25-mile rule for new casinos (The Santa Fe New Mexican 7/18)

Section 20 Regulations:
Part I-IV | Part V | PDF