Opinion: Expansion of gaming poses threat to Arizona tribes

Monday, June 13, 2011  

"The June 4 My Turn "Allowing 'racinos' in Arizona would stimulate economy," (Opinions) suggested racetracks be allowed to offer casino gaming. As the former director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, I absolutely disagree. Arizona has more to lose than the tracks have to gain.

Pursuant to federal law, our tribal-gaming compacts were carefully designed to authorize tribal revenue sharing with the state. If tracks are allowed casino gaming, this provision is rescinded.

The state stands to lose more than a billion dollars over the term of the compact. And tribes will be allowed unlimited casino-gaming expansion in contrast to the limited gaming we have today.

Since 2004, tribes have contributed more than $600 million to the state and local governments in shared revenue. These are real dollars, not the tenuous projections that track advocates have promised if their casino gaming expansion occurs."

Get the Story:
Steve Hart: 'Racinos' would be a blow to lucrative tribal gaming (The Arizona Republic 6/13)