The Obama administration is "rethinking" prior policy affecting off-reservation gaming, a senior Bureau of Indian Affairs official said.
A decision whether to change course will be made "fairly soon." "It's an important issue. It's a controversial issue and they're rethinking it," George Skibine, the acting principal deputy assistant secretary for Indian affairs, told The Wall Street Journal.
The Bush administration made a number of changes that make it nearly impossible for tribes to acquire land away from existing reservations. Gaming compacts can be rejected if they refer to sites that are not in trust, land-into-trust applications can be rejected for sites that aren't within a "commutable distance" of a reservation and off-reservation casinos can be rejected even if supported by state and local governments.
A potential change in policy already has some members of Congress worried. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada) are urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to maintain existing restrictions.
"While Indian gaming is permitted on Indian lands and in accordance with state and federal laws, we have serious concerns about the recent practice of tribes and municipalities seeking advantageous gaming opportunities on lands that are not traditionally tribal lands. This is an abuse of the land into trust process and violates the spirit" of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the letter stated..
Get the Story:
Tribal Casino Rules Revisited
(The Wall Street Journal 9/21)
Senators' views could hurt casino chances (The Middletown Times Herald-Record 9/19)
Advertisement
Tags
Search
More Headlines
Catawba Nation continues work on controversial casino in North Carolina
Gaming initiatives backed by tribal corporation faces uncertain future
Chuck Hoskin: Renewed gaming compacts ensure a brighter future for Oklahoma
Republican governor suffers another setback in dealings with tribes in Oklahoma
Cronkite News: Gila River hotels, casinos close for two weeks after worker death
Cronkite News: Curfew curtailing casinos? Don’t bet on it, owners say
'We are thrilled': Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hails victory for sovereignty
Tribes sue Trump administration after being excluded from coronavirus relief program
Donovan White: Standing up for Native Americans and Native American jobs
'Finally': Tribal gaming in line for coronavirus relief amid stiff competition for resources
Oregon tribes’ primary engines – casinos – stalled by COVID-19
Gaming initiatives backed by tribal corporation faces uncertain future
Chuck Hoskin: Renewed gaming compacts ensure a brighter future for Oklahoma
Republican governor suffers another setback in dealings with tribes in Oklahoma
Cronkite News: Gila River hotels, casinos close for two weeks after worker death
Cronkite News: Curfew curtailing casinos? Don’t bet on it, owners say
'We are thrilled': Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hails victory for sovereignty
Tribes sue Trump administration after being excluded from coronavirus relief program
Donovan White: Standing up for Native Americans and Native American jobs
'Finally': Tribal gaming in line for coronavirus relief amid stiff competition for resources
Oregon tribes’ primary engines – casinos – stalled by COVID-19
Indian Gaming Archive