Opinion: Minnesota tribes trying to keep gaming monopoly

Friday, April 29, 2011

"Untaxed casino profits propelled protesters to the State Capitol on Tuesday, where they rallied against what they call "expanded gambling."

Carloads of naysayers gathered on a cold, rainy day to preserve the tax-free stranglehold on lucrative "slot gaming" enjoyed at Indian casinos across the state.

Gambling proceeds at such places are untaxed under state-tribal "compacts," or agreements, negotiated on the watch (so to speak) of DFL Gov. Rudy Perpich starting in 1989.

Protesters' main focus Tuesday was to rail against electronic "gaming" at the two state-licensed horse racing tracks, a proposal that would yield an estimated $250 million in new revenues to the state each biennium.

Not chump change in these budget-challenged days."

Get the Story:
Gary Larson: Gambling: Seems everyone wants to game the system (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 4/29)

Related Stories:
Shakopee Tribe considers liquor sales amid casino debate (4/28)
Minnesota tribes oppose bid to allow non-Indian gaming (4/27)
Minnesota Indian Gaming Association off to State Capitol (4/26)
Marge Anderson: Expanded gaming will harm Minnesota tribes (4/6)
Editorial: Joint tribal-state casino a better idea for Minnesota (3/29)
Opinion: There's definitely room for more gaming in Minnesota (3/28)
Column: Breaking the monopoly of tribal gaming in Minnesota (3/25)
Editorial: It's time to renegotiate casino compacts in Minnesota (3/8)
MPR: Minnesota tribes oppose expansion of non-Indian gaming (2/24)