The Bush administration's rejection of a compact in Oregon is being called a setback for off-reservation gaming.
The Warm Springs Tribe and Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) agreed on an off-reservation casino near Portland. But in a letter [PDF], the Interior Department said it came up with a new interpretation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that bars approval of the compact because the land is not yet in trust. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, said the decision was the right one. Rep. David Wu (D-Oregon), who opposes the casino and tried to stop off-reservation gaming through a rider in the Interior appropriations bill, said it shows the concern over off-reservation casinos. Get the Story: