Sen. Feinstein introduces measure to limit new tribal casinos

Monday, April 11, 2011  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) introduced S.771, the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act, on Friday.

According to a press release, the bill will stop "reservation shopping." It amends Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by requiring tribes to demonstrate a "substantial modern connection" and a "substantial aboriginal or ancestral connection" to newly acquired lands.

"The fact is that some tribes have abused their unique right to operate casinos and have ignored the intent of Congress by taking land into trust miles away from their historical lands," Feinstein said in the press release. "This is done simply to produce the most profitable casino and the greatest number of potential gamblers, often with little regard to the local communities."

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), who is retiring from Congress, is a co-sponsor. He's opposing an effort by the Tohono O'odham Nation to build a casino on newly acquired land.

"The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was originally intended to promote tribal economic development and self-sufficiency -- not to enable tribes to become gambling enterprises that constantly expand to new casino locations," Kyl said.

The bill will essentially bar new casinos, tribal lobbyist told Indian Country Today.

Get the Story:
Feinstein’s New Anti-Gaming Bill: ‘It’s a Travesty’ (Indian Country Today 4/9)