Alabama-Coushatta Tribe seeks restoration of gaming rights

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas wants Congress to restore its gaming rights.

The tribe was restored to federal recognition in 1987. A provision in the law includes a gaming prohibition that has been upheld in the federal courts.

“We’re trying to get that fair treatment because we’ve never gotten it,” Chairman Kyle Williams told The Dallas Morning News.

The tribe is pursuing a bill that would lift the prohibition. That would allow the tribe to engage in Class II gaming as the state has refused to negotiate a Class III gaming compact.

But the proposed bill, which does not yet have a sponsor, would not lift the prohibition for the Tigua Tribe, the Morning News reported. It wouldn't affect the Kickapoo Tribe, whose gaming rights are not limited by federal law.

Get the Story:
East Texas’ Alabama-Coushatta Indian tribe renews its push for rights to run casino (The Dallas Morning News 3/19)

Sen. Reid tried to move bill to help Texas tribes with gaming (1/15)