Texas Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D), at podium, is joined by tribal leaders to discuss bill to recognize their gaming rights. Photo from Facebook
Lawmakers in Texas introduced bills to recognize the gaming rights of all tribes in the state as one faced contempt sanctions in federal court over a contested sweepstakes operation. SJR 51 and HJR 129 would amend the state constitution and allow the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Tigua Tribe to engage in gaming on their lands. That would put them on the same footing as the Kickapoo Tribe. "We are proposing a constitutional amendment that will bring equal treatment, fairness and equity to our three Texas tribes. We already have gaming in Texas but for only one tribe, and that’s not right," Sen. Jose Rodríguez (D) said at a press conference where he was joined by tribal leaders. The Alabama-Coushatta in southeast Texas and the Tiguas in El Paso deserve equal treatment with the Kickapoos in Eagle Pass, who support this effort." The Alabama-Coushattas and the Tiguas are currently required to abide by state law that outlaws casinos. The condition was imposed on them when they regained federal recognition. Both tribes at one point operated casinos but those were shut down in response to litigation from the state. The Tiguas have since offered a "sweepstakes" operation that it contends is legal under state law.
The Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, Texas. Photo from Facebook
A federal judge, however, said the games at the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center violate the injunction that shut down the casino back in 2001. The tribe was ordered to cease operations and detail how it will come into compliance with state and federal law. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Texas v. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.
The Lucky Eagle Casino on the Kickapoo Reservation in Texas. Photo from Facebook
The Kickapoos are not subject to the same state law restriction and have opened a Class II operation on their reservation. The state, however, refuses to negotiate a Class III gaming compact. Get the Story:
Federal judge in El Paso finds Tiguas violated gaming injunction (The El Paso Times 3/12)
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