New version of anti-gaming amendment circulates on Capitol Hill

Thursday, December 2, 2010  

A new version of an anti-gaming amendment requires tribes to overcome new hurdles before opening casinos on newly acquired lands.

The proposal essentially bars tribes from crossing state lines to open casinos. It requires newly acquired lands to be "within the same state in which the reservation or seat of government of the Indian tribe is located."

The new version also requires a tribe to demonstrate "a direct connection" to the newly acquired lands. This can be shown through a "final judicial decision" or a "ratified treaty" or through "records" that show a "clear and convincing historical and modern-day connection" to the lands in question.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), the chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, has announced her intent to offer the amendment. She claims it will stop "reservation shopping" in California and other states.

Get the Story:
Feinstein wades into urban gaming fight (Capitol Weekly 12/2)

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Dianne Feinstein: Put stop to 'reservation shopping' for casinos (11/30)
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NIGA opposes amendment to curtail land-into-trust for gaming (11/19)
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