WSJ: Twelve states in process of expanding gaming options

Tuesday, May 11, 2010  

The Wall Street Journal publishes a chart that shows 12 states are in the process of expanding gaming or considering an expansion.

The states are California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey and Ohio. Of these states, six have direct impacts on tribal gaming.

Florida's expansion benefits the Seminole Tribe with a Class III gaming compact.

California's expansion could benefit tribes that want to engage in Internet poker although some tribes are opposed to it.

In Iowa, the Meskwaki Tribe is opposing a new casino in its home county. The casino would be operated under state law.

In Maine, the Passamaquoddy Tribe was denied a chance to present a casino referendum to voters, who have approved expansions of non-Indian gaming in the past.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering a bill to legalize casino gaming, a move that would benefit the two Wampanoag tribes in the state. However, one version of the bill restricts the state to negotiating just one Class III compact within a certain period of time.

In Minnesota, tribes are generally opposed to a plan to allow slot machines at racetracks.

Get the Story:
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Strapped States Find New Virtues in 'Vice' (The Wall Street Journal 5/11)