Bill in Texas allows tribes to reopen casinos

Wednesday, February 18, 2009  

Texas Rep. Norma Chávez (D) introduced a bill to restore the gaming rights of the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.

The bill allows federally recognized tribes to operate bingo and poker. "This bill recognizes the tribe's sovereignty and allows them to prosper and be self-sufficient," said Chávez, The El Paso Times reported.

The tribes operated a successful Class III casinos but the federal courts ordered them closed. The tribes agreed to a state prohibition on gambling, the courts said.

Get the Story:
Rep. Norma Chavez files gaming bill (The El Paso Times 2/18)
Tribes gamble on renewed support in Legislature for reservation casinos (The Beaumont Enterprise 2/17)
Bill would allow tribal gambling in Texas (AP 2/17)