Indian Gaming

The Coquille Tribe is looking to open a second gaming facility in Oregon.

The tribe recently purchased a 2.42-acre property in the city of Medford. Generally, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bars casinos on land acquired after 1988.

But Section 20 of the law contains exceptions to the prohibition, including one that applies to tribes that were restored to federal recognition. The Coquilles have asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to confirm they are eligible for an exception, The Medford Mail Tribune reported.

The tribe plans a Class II facility at the site in Medford. The tribe already operates the Mill Casino, a Class III facility in North Bend, over three hours away.

The tribe was restored to federal recognition through an act of Congress in 1989. The Coquille Restoration Act states that the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 "shall" apply to the tribe.

Another section states that the BIA "shall" accept up to 1,000 acres in trust for the tribe. Additional acquisitions beyond that limit will be processed under the IRA, according to the law.

Get the Story:
County, Medford stand pat on casino prospect (The Medford Mail Tribune 3/9)

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BIA extends comments on Coquille Tribe casino land application (3/7)