Texas tribes won't get to reopen casinos

Wednesday, May 13, 2009  

Tribes in Texas won't get to reopen their casinos after a comprehensive gaming bill officially died in the Texas Legislature on Tuesday.

The Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe lobbied for the measure. Their casinos were shut down in 2002 after the state won a series of court rulings.

The bill also would have benefited the Kickapoo Tribe, whose efforts to engage in Class III gaming are being opposed by state officials.

The bill's main sponsor, Rep. Edmund Kuempel (R), said lawmakers felt the influx of federal stimulus funds addressed a budget void that could have been filled by gaming. Kuempel collapsed late last night at the state Capitol.

Get the Story:
Casino gambling bill dies; setback for Tiguas (The El Paso Times 5/13)