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Leland McGee: Off-reservation gaming poses risk to all tribes (12/31)

"Currently before the Interior Department are two California “off reservation” casino proposals that carry the support of California Governor Jerry Brown. These two tribes are being touted by Governor Brown as needing additional trust lands...

Column: Tribal casinos regulated by tribes and federal agency (12/21)

"Everyone is aware of the strict guidelines and operating procedures to which state-regulated casinos are held. But who sets the standards and controls for Native American properties? Casinos such as Four Winds Casino Resort in...

Column: Massachusetts gaming moves at a painfully slow pace (12/20)

"Bay State plans for casino gambling are moving ahead like turtles on Ambien. By law, the licensing process is slow and deliberate. In practice, debate about it tends to be long-winded. On Tuesday, after a...

Editorial: Tribal casino in Massachusetts plan faces uncertainty (12/20)

"The Massachusetts Gaming Commission wisely voted Tuesday to take another 90 days to decide on opening the southeastern Massachusetts casino licensing process to commercial entities. For the past two weeks, the commission has been discussing...

Ernie Stevens and Kevin Leecy: Paying tribute to Daniel Inouye (12/19)

Senator Inouye and Chairman Stevens at the NIGA 2011 Legislative Summit. Photo Courtesy National Indian Gaming Association. We mourn the loss of our friend, leader and elder statesman, Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Dan Inouye...

Editorial: More study needed for Muscogee Nation-track deal (12/17)

"The latest actions of the Tulsa County fair board don't exactly inspire confidence - that is, if you can even understand what's going on. It's getting to the point we need a program to keep...

Opinion: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe wrong on casino outlook (12/14)

"As I read Cedric Cromwell's letter ("Tribal casino will benefit everyone," Dec. 11 Your View), I became very concerned with some of his statements. Not surprised, but very concerned. He seems to either not understand...

Editorial: Snoqualmie Tribe drops bomb with casino hotel plan (12/13)

"The Snoqualmie Tribe dropped a bomb onto local governments last week that almost left city leaders speechless. The tribe unveiled a plan to the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association that it plans to expand the Snoqualmie...

Opinion: Internet gaming only benefits wealthy gaming tribes (12/12)

"On a recent Wednesday morning, under the gaze of a mounted bison head, Native American tribal leaders filled the Senate Indian Affairs Room for their annual legislative summit. They'd been there many times before, asking...

Letter: Community needs Menominee off-reservation casino (12/10)

"Why would anybody be against a small casino in Kenosha? We need the jobs, taxes and revenue! Wake up people! Politicians, you are not forced to go to gamble. Gambling is a personal choice. Whatever...

Cedric Cromwell: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on casino path (12/10)

"The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe very much appreciates the concern that some officials have expressed about any potential delays in developing a resort casino in southeastern Massachusetts. We share the Gaming Commission's desire to see real...

Column: Prostitution business had customers at casino hotel (12/10)

"If you doubt how much prostitution business casino customers generate, consider a police report from a raid on an alleged brothel in Norwich back in the spring of 2011. Nine Norwich police officers and one...

Editorial: Don't let tribe hold back casino bids in Massachusetts (12/06)

"It has been the opinion of The Standard-Times that the process for commercial applicants in Region C should even today be running parallel to that of the other two regions. In addition, the state, should...

Letter: Winnebago Tribe offers best proposal for casino in Iowa (12/06)

"| am a fourth-generation Sioux Cityan and have been a small business owner for 13 years. Although I am not a gambler, I am very much in favor of Ho-Chunk, Inc., a local company, being...

Opinion: A look into the Seneca Nation casino compact dispute (11/29)

"To fully understand the casino, we need to separate exclusivity payments to the state of New York from the distrubution of these funds to the city. In laymen terms, the state has a contract with...

Opinion: Seneca Nation's gaming 'monopoly' hurts community (11/28)

"The City of Niagara Falls and its long-suffering residents have suffered many kinds of losses since Albany took 50 acres out of the heart of downtown and created a territory for a tax free sovereign...

Editorial: Consistent policy needed on off-reservation gaming (11/16)

"We have no problem with Indian gaming, which generates $7.5 billion a year for the state's 59 federally recognized tribes with gambling operations, and which provides each of the state's 50 nongaming tribes $1 million...

Letter: Casinos bring in more customers by allowing smoking (11/15)

"On a recent trip to Las Vegas I stopped at the Plaza to play for a while. After a short time, a young lady came around carrying a tray with shoulder straps calling out "Cigars,...

Column: New York breaks piggybank in Seneca gaming dispute (11/13)

"Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week touted a deal to advance payments from the New York Power Authority to Niagara Falls as the state “stepping up” to provide fiscal stability in the Falls. But it's the...

Column: Washington companies take big bet on online gaming (11/13)

"Seattle’s becoming the new Barbary Coast. First it legalizes marijuana. Next it’s likely to become the hub for online gambling. The city’s already on the forefront of online casinos, with Seattle companies building some of...

Editorial: Voters keep their promise to gaming tribes in Oregon (11/12)

"It speaks well of Oregonians that we voted overwhelmingly to leave casino gaming the province of Indian tribes. Since a 1988 federal act approving tribal gaming, Oregon’s casino count has grown to nine. That’s nine...

Doug Cuthand: Don't push First Nations to the economic margins (11/09)

"Bernie Shepherd loves to push the envelope. In 1994, when he was chief of the White Bear First Nation, he set up Saskatchewan's first Indian-owned casino on his reserve. The result was a late night...

Editorial: State to blame for loss of Seneca gaming revenues (11/06)

"Residents of Niagara Falls are about to take it on the chin – not to mention in the nose, the gut and the wallet – because the state of New York and the Seneca Nation...

Opinion: Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe gaming bid in limbo again (11/05)

"When the U.S. Department of the Interior rejected an agreement negotiated by the state with the Mashpee Indians, nobody said it had slammed the door on chances of a resort casino in Taunton. It just...

Opinion: Tribes fight to preserve gaming monopoly in Oregon (10/30)

"I have friends with whom I've shared the same Daily Racing Form at the Rialto in downtown Portland, the same video poker terminals at the Buffalo Gap on Southwest Macadam and the same private poker...

Opinion: Tribes must remain on high alert for Internet gaming (10/29)

"As we barrel toward the election, the outcome of the presidential election promises to affect federal online poker legislation, and therefore tribal online gaming. The 2012 GOP platform calls for the ban of internet poker....

Editorial: Risky bet on Mashpee Wampanoag gaming compact (10/29)

"Based upon the number of significant concerns the federal government had with the compact between the commonwealth and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, it looks like either no one in Massachusetts did their homework on Indian...

Bruce Bozsum: Mohegan Tribe offers unique casino experience (10/25)

"At the Mohegan Tribe, we are proud of our New England roots, and we are working to continue to provide one of the best casino experiences to our visitors from all over the world –...

Editorial: Graton Rancheria gaming deal is good for the county (10/25)

"Sonoma County salvaged a bad hand with its casino mitigation pact. The agreement, ratified Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, guarantees payments of at least $9 million a year to address crime, traffic, fire protection...

Column: The road to gaming in Massachusetts getting bumpier (10/23)

"Several bumps have popped up on the road Massachusetts is building toward licensing three casinos and a slots parlor. And Rhode Islanders worried about when and where the casinos will open - and the impact...

Opinion: Keep promises to Oregon tribes under casino compact (10/22)

"Currently, state law simply dictates who makes the casino-generated money: tribes. And all the talk about casinos bringing harm instead of cash, from the governors on down, is largely a smokescreen. Yes, some individuals harm...

Opinion: Let county talk about Spokane off-reservation casino (10/22)

"County Commissioner Al French should be congratulated for exposing the absurdity of the muzzle that has been placed on the Spokane County commissioners in regard to the Spokane Tribe’s casino project. For reasons that escape...

Opinion: Miccosukee Tribe loses decision over gaming per caps (10/22)

"Individual members of a tribe, though, are American citizens as well as tribal members, and they can be taxed. That can lead to disputes. In a recent court battle, the IRS sought to subpoena banks...

Editorial: Non-Indian casino bid a lost cause in Oregon this year (10/18)

"In recent weeks members of The Register-Guard’s editorial department have interviewed about 20 candidates for positions in the Oregon Legislature. Not one of them expressed support for Ballot Measures 82 and 83, which would allow...

Editorial: Risky bet on Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino deal (10/16)

Opinion: A muzzle on Spokane Tribe off-reservation gaming bid (10/15)

"The greatest responsibility of any elected official is to carefully research, consider and facilitate debate about the most important issues affecting our community. Today, one of Spokane County’s most critical issues is the Spokane Tribe...

Opinion: Tax rules about tribes and casinos you may not know (10/12)

"Of all the specialized tax rules for unique entities, the federal tax rules governing Native American tribes may be least understood. The only contact many Americans have with Native Americans is via Indian casinos. Here...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming bad bet for Oregon (10/11)

"Backers of what would be the first privately owned, non-tribal casino in the state are back on the ballot, two years after their first attempt to site a private casino went down in flames. The...

Editorial: Tribal casino market already saturated in Wisconsin (10/11)

"It's not what Beloit, Shullsburg, Kenosha and Sheboygan want to hear in their quests for casinos. But it should give those communities — and the governor, who has the final say — pause. A university...

Editorial: Tule River Tribe investing gaming revenues in future (10/11)

"While some tribes have simply written their members a check from their casino profits, the Tule River Reservation has been wisely reinvesting its profits and much of that reinvestment involves the youth of the reservation....

Opinion: Mishewal Wappo recognition will only lead to a casino (10/09)

"It is obvious that the Mishewal Wappo, if recognized as a tribe with sovereign rights in the Napa Valley, intend to build a casino. The opening of a casino here would irreparably harm the integrity...

Opinion: Pascua Yaqui Tribe shows how Internet gaming is here (10/05)

"Over the past several years, a major topic of discussion at virtually every gaming conference in the United States has centered on one statement: "The question is not whether we will have internet gaming, but...

Opinion: Off-reservation casino is too costly for the community (10/05)

"In a recent letter to the editor in the Appeal-Democrat, Enterprise Rancheria community relations spokesman Charles Altekruse wrote, "'Crime, alcoholism, broken homes' — Hello! They're already here!" Going back to my bar simile — does...

Editorial: Ho-Chunk Nation off-reservation casino a clear benefit (10/04)

"The facility proposed for Beloit by the Ho-Chunk Nation clearly would benefit this community and region. Tens of millions of dollars would be spent building the site, providing employment for hundreds of skilled tradesmen and...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming is still bad for Oregon (10/04)

"The key question about Ballot Measures 82 and 83 is this: Does Oregon have a shortage of gambling? Two years ago, Oregon voters decisively said no. With a state Lottery and nine tribal casinos, Oregonians...

Dave Palermo: Tribes have a duty to address problem gambling (10/01)

"I’ve written about problem and pathological gambling since long before passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. In 2005, while on the staff of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, I worked with...

Editorial: State to blame for Seneca Nation gaming revenue flap (10/01)

"New York State is preparing to give Niagara Falls a $58 million loan to compensate for the loss of revenues from the Seneca Niagara Casino, an urgent development in a problem brought on, at least...

Opinion: Spokane Tribe's off-reservation casino deserves a shot (10/01)

"It is sad that arguably the largest privately funded economic development project to come to Spokane in decades has been turned into a political football by those who appear to have huge conflicts of interest....

Editorial: North Carolina must tax and regulate gaming facilities (10/01)

"As the $625 million expansion of the Harrah’s Casino complex in Cherokee nears completion, state lawmakers should be reminded once again of the economic windfall the state could realize if it takes control of the...

Editorial: It's too risky to bet economy on tribal gaming industry (10/01)

"Mohegan Sun's announcement Thursday that it is laying off more than 300 employees comes as no great surprise since the casino, like nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino, faces growing competition from gambling halls in surrounding states....

Letter: Make Fond du Lac Band feel the pain in gaming dispute (09/28)

"In 2009, the tribe unilaterally stopped making payments to the city. Both parties made the original contract in “good faith” and now that “good faith” was broken. If it was a bad deal, so be...

Column: Off-reservation casino an issue for county's election (09/27)

"One of Southern California's most interesting local races in the runup to the election is taking place in San Bernardino's third Supervisorial District, where Democrat James Ramos is working to unseat incumbent Republican Neil Derry....

Jack Duran: Off-reservation casino move supports sovereignty (09/27)

"Recently, the California Governor, Jerry Brown, authorized the Class III gaming compacts of two landless tribes, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and Estom Yumeka Maidu (Enterprise Rancheria), who had petitioned the state to...

Column: Mashantucket casino facing competition from backers (09/26)

"Standing inside the cavernous slot machine hall of the new Resorts World Casino at the Aqueduct race track in Queens, N.Y., I thought I could easily have been inside either one of Connecticut's casinos. You...

Editorial: Just say no to non-Indian gaming proposal in Oregon (09/24)

"The folks who brought us state Ballot Measure 75 two years ago, which would have authorized a private casino in the eastern Multnomah County town of Wood Village, are back with what they say is...

Cedric Cromwell: Mashpee Wampanoag compact is a good deal (09/24)

"It was with great interest that I read Harold Monteau’s editorial, “Regarding Gaming Compacts and Their ‘Illusory Exclusivity,’” in which he criticized the tribal-state compact reached between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Commonwealth of...

Harold Monteau: Mashpee Wampanoag compact is worst ever (09/21)

"The tribal-state gaming compact between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, recently submitted to the Department of Interior (DOI or Secretary) appears to have bumped Montana (tribes treated like tavern...

Arbitration panel named for Seneca Nation compact dispute (09/19)

An arbitration panel of three members has been named to resolve a Class III gaming compact dispute between the Seneca Nation and the state of New York. The panel will be chaired by Judith S....

Opinion: New bill allows Native Hawaiians to fall under IGRA (09/19)

"Until now the bill prohibited the Akaka tribe from engaging in any form of gambling in Hawaii or anywhere else. The new version authorizes full-blown tribal casinos in Hawaii if the state ever legalizes any...

Opinion: Tribal casinos in Connecticut facing more threats (09/18)

"US gambling casinos are in trouble. The two largest casinos in the world, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun (both in Connecticut), have real problems. With $2.3 billion in debt, Foxwoods is struggling. It just reported August...

Opinion: Vote no on non-Indian gaming proposal in Oregon (09/17)

"In 2007, the same people promoting the casino today began work that led to the 2010 ballot measure. Under the names of “Good for Oregon Committee, One”, “Good for Oregon Committee”, and “Good for Oregon...

Opinion: County's hands tied on off-reservation casino plan (09/17)

"In May, Spokane County and the city of Spokane adopted policies outlined in the Fairchild Joint Land Use Study to protect Fairchild Air Force Base from development that could threaten the base’s ability to conduct...

Editorial: Off-reservation casinos aren't worth the gamble (09/17)

"History teaches us to be leery of proposals that promise riches if we only open the doors to gambling. Residents and elected officials in northwest Colorado would do well to remember that lesson as plans...

Editorial: No reason to approve Coquille Tribe's casino bid (09/14)

"The Coquille tribe has acquired a bowling alley and adjacent property in Medford with the view to starting a casino. If that’s allowed, Oregon might as well scrap its constitutional ban on casinos. But it...

Opinion: Taking a gamble on a non-Indian casino in Oregon (09/14)

"Backers claim that “The Grange” will yield a payment to Oregon of $100,000,000 every year (25% of the casino’s “adjusted gross revenues”, or AGR: receipts from gaming only (after payouts to winner). If they do...

Editorial: Cowlitz Tribe's casino may never see light of day (09/14)

"Fortunately for Clark County residents who want to maintain the community's high quality of life, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's proposal for a mega-casino near La Center has encountered yet another obstacle, this one placed by...

Opinion: Taking a gamble for a non-Indian casino in Oregon (09/13)

"What follows over the next three days is my non-expert citizen examination of Measures 82 and 83. My strong inclination is to oppose these measures; I believe gambling to be as dehumanizing and destructive as...

Editorial: Continue plan for Soo Tribe off-reservation casino (09/13)

"When it comes to pursuit of a casino to bolster economic development in the region, Greater Lansing can take a hint from an old British slogan: Keep calm and carry on. Attorney General Bill Schuette’s...

Opinion: Negotiate Class III gaming deal with Poarch Creeks (09/12)

"In 2010 Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law a compact with the Seminole Indian Tribe which had been approved by the Florida legislature. Its terms gave the Seminole Tribe exclusive rights to table games...

Editorial: Coquille Tribe goes against odds for new casino bid (09/12)

"No one should get too excited by the prospect of an Indian casino opening in Medford anytime soon. If the experience of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is any guide, the plans of the...

Editorial: Off-reservation gaming bids still in play in Michigan (09/12)

"State Attorney General Bill Schuette is suing the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe in federal court. The lawsuit, filed Friday, contends the Lansing casino violates federal law and the casino compact the tribe signed with the...

Opinion: North Fork gaming ruling addresses historic injustice (09/10)

"When the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed, Congress recognized that some tribes had been so unfairly disadvantaged by historical events that there should to be a process to permit them to acquire land for...

Opinion: California governor says yes to off-reservation casino (09/10)

"Bring in the showgirls! Where's the booze? More gambling! More gambling! Yes, it looks like a casino is on the way to historically poor Yuba County. It's been a long, strange journey for the casino...

George Thompson: Poarch Creeks dig up ancestors for casino (09/10)

"My name is George Thompson; I have been the Oce Vpofa Mekko (Hickory Ground Chief) for 42 plus years. This is a lifetime position and it will be until the day I die. It is...

Opinion: Attorney general accepted Poarch Creek casino funds (09/05)

"Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says that the recent seizure of gambling devices from a Houston County casino should serve as a warning to others who are engaged in illegal gambling. Strange conducted a recent...

Editorial: An unwise bet on off-reservation gaming in California (09/05)

"Gov. Jerry Brown has made a bad situation worse. He's approved a troubling expansion of tribal gambling by allowing two Sierra foothill tribes to open casinos more than 30 miles from their reservations, a move...

Column: Weekend at United Auburn Indian Community casino (09/04)

"I slept with Smokey Robinson. Now that I have your attention, allow me to clarify: Actually, I slept NEAR Smokey Robinson. What a difference a preposition makes. During a recent weekend at the Thunder Valley...

Editorial: A bad decision on off-reservation casinos in California (09/03)

"Gov. Jerry Brown waited until Friday's deadline to announce his support for two controversial off-reservation casinos that are likely to usher in a troubling new Indian gambling boom in California. It's unfortunate that Brown blessed...

Poll: Most against water service to Dry Creek Rancheria casino (08/31)

"Most of those responding to an Argus-Courier online poll said that the city should not consider extending water and sewer services to the Dry Creek Tribe if it would mean they would agree not to...

Opinion: Tribes, state ignore problem gambling in New Mexico (08/31)

"In a recent Albuquerque Journal article, Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, complimented New Mexico for the compact requirement that tribes and tracks have of contributing one-fourth of one-percent...

Opinion: Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino helps economy (08/30)

"FOR hundreds of years the Spokane Tribe of Indians has lived and raised families across the many miles of the Spokane River Basin, including present city sites such as Airway Heights and Spokane. This region...

Richard Gomez: Tribal casinos contribute to California economy (08/30)

"The California Nations Indian Gaming Association recently set out to measure the positive impact that tribal government gaming has on the state and local economies. In Santa Barbara County alone, more than 1,700 people have...

Opinion: NIGC fails to assert leadership role on Internet gaming (08/30)

"A failure by the top federal regulator for American Indian casinos to take a leadership role on Internet wagering annoys tribal leaders who fear proposed congressional legislation to legalize cyberspace gambling will slight indigenous governments....

Q&A: Attorney Michael McBride talks tribal gaming in Oklahoma (08/29)

"Q: How big of an industry is Indian gaming in Oklahoma? A: There are about 114 tribal casinos in Oklahoma. In 2011, the Oklahoma Indian gaming industry produced approximately $3.5 billion in revenue. Since Oklahoma...

Ernie Stevens: Stanley Crooks was an Indian gaming visionary (08/28)

"This past Saturday, I was notified that Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Chairman Stanley R. Crooks began his journey to the spirit world. This comes only two days after my visit with him at the St....

Opinion: Lobbyist rumors on land-into-trust and online gaming (08/27)

"Widespread speculation among Capitol Hill insiders is that Sen. Daniel Akaka, (D-Hawaii), is hoping to use draft Internet legislation as leverage to get Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to engineer a congressional fix to the...

Opinion: Expansion of gaming a losing bet for all in Michigan (08/24)

"The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled recently that a ballot proposal which would clear the way for private developers to build eight new casinos in Michigan should not be placed on the ballot. Let's hope...

Elaine Bethel Fink: Off-reservation casino deserves approval (08/24)

"Our tribe is located in a poor, rural county with high rates of unemployment and poverty. We have a large number of needy tribal citizens but only a remote, inaccessible piece of land that is...

Editorial: Decision holds promise for off-reservation casinos (08/24)

"The idea of an Indian casino built on non-tribal land in downtown Lansing is less fanciful than when proposed in January thanks to a pointed federal court ruling that said the state of Michigan and...

Editorial: Casino competition poses a threat for Connecticut (08/24)

"Patrons from Massachusetts have played a key role in the success of both the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods resort casinos. When Bay State residents have multiple alternatives closer to home a significant reduction in revenues...

Opinion: Bankruptcy at tribal casinos no longer just a theory (08/24)

"There long has been a legal debate as to whether businesses owned and operated by Indian tribes could either file for protection under the federal Bankruptcy Code or, correspondingly, be involuntarily taken into bankruptcy by...

Opinion: Gaming revenues burst the myth of the 'rich Indian' (08/22)

"News from federal regulators that American Indian casino revenues rose 3 percent in 2011 pointed out once again that despite the “myth of the rich Indian” fueled by tribal government gambling, profits are far from...

Dan Jones: Poarch Creeks shouldn't put casino at sacred site (08/20)

"I ask the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma to excuse me for speaking about your relatives. I was asked by Indian Country Today Media Network, and I am moved to do so prayerfully. The act...

Letter: Oklahoma tribal casinos create more gambling addicts (08/20)

"In response to David Qualls (Point of View, Aug. 11): Tribal gaming creating jobs and boosting revenue is fine as far as it goes. The financial benefit of gaming to tribes in Oklahoma and elsewhere...

Editorial: Tribes in California going on a casino shopping spree (08/20)

"Since California voters approved Indian gambling over a decade ago, the business has exceeded all expectations and limitations. It's grown into a Vegas-sized industry that's enriched dirt-poor tribes and hired thousands more, but it's also...

Editorial: Reject off-reservation casino proposals in California (08/20)

"Indian gambling has brought long-needed financial gains to Native American tribes as well as a measure of painful internal strife. In California, reservations where dilapidated mobile homes once dominated the landscape are now dotted with...

Editorial: Romney-Ryan campaign is too close to casino mogul (08/17)

"Three days after Paul Ryan became the presumptive Republican vice presidential candidate, he made a pilgrimage on Tuesday to the Las Vegas gambling palace of Sheldon Adelson, the casino tycoon who is spending more than...

Opinion: California tribes look to take casinos off-reservation (08/17)

"The issue hasn't gotten much statewide attention, but Gov. Jerry Brown has a decision to make on Indian gambling that could have major impacts down the road for the casino landscape. And that's the literal...

Column: Soo Tribe cites land claim in off-reservation casino bid (08/13)

"The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe currently operates five casinos in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP). The Sault Tribe has proposed plans for a sixth casino — the Lansing Kewadin Casino — which would be located far...

Editorial: Congress shouldn't force Internet gambling on states (08/13)

"There are troubling signs that Congress may cave to pressure from powerful online gambling interests and repeal the 2006 law that banned betting from your home computer. Poker-playing lobbyists have spent $7.6 million since 2007...

David Qualls: Oklahoma tribal gaming contributes to economy (08/13)

"As I travel across tribal lands throughout Oklahoma, I’m always excited by the growth and opportunity happening in Indian Country. It wasn’t long ago that Oklahoma tribes embarked on a long, yet important journey to...

Daniel Tucker/Steve Stallings: Economic impact of tribal gaming (08/09)

"Support for community is a core value of California’s native people. Although each tribal nation takes pride in its unique traditions, we all believe that we have a fundamental responsibility to all our neighbors. Tribal...

Editorial: Entering a new era with Eastern Cherokee casino deal (08/09)

"Now that the federal government has approved North Carolina's gambling compact with the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the state is entering a new era. That means that the General Assembly and the governor taking office...

Opinion: Reject an off-reservation casino for the Spokane Tribe (08/07)

"The Spokane Tribe's proposal to build its third casino at an off-reservation site a few miles outside of Washington's second-largest city has generated a lot of attention across the state recently, and for good reason....

Editorial: Mashantucket casino debt deal is good for the region (08/07)

"The $2.2 billion debt-restructuring agreement announced by the Mashantucket Pequots last week is good news not just for its Foxwoods Resort Casino but also for the region and the state, which depend on the facility...

Editorial: Decision reveals flaws in Massachusetts' gaming law (08/06)

"The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit gives life to KG Urban Enterprises' bid to build a billion dollar casino at the site of an abandoned power plant in New Bedford. The decision...

Opinion: Supreme Court reopens debate on casino acquisitions (08/06)

"Placing land into trust is a “federal action,” which is supposed to require application the National Environmental Policy Act, but that law has been ignored or undermined frequently over recent decades. The federal Bureau of...

Editorial: California governor must reject off-reservation casinos (08/02)

"Two off-reservation casino applications are now awaiting action by Gov. Jerry Brown, who should reject efforts by tribes and their allies in the gambling industry to establish casinos along busy highways far from their traditional...

Editorial: Resolve dispute over New York tribal gaming revenue (07/31)

"Perhaps at one time New York state’s strategy of sitting out the Seneca on the issues surrounding casino gambling had a point. Not any more. Not when this impasse is hurting communities. It’s way past...

Opinion: Cowlitz Tribe in litigation over gaming lands acquisition (07/30)

"The June 18 Supreme Court ruling in Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band ("Gun Lake Band") v. Patchak will allow the challenge to the Gun Lake Indian casino to be litigated. In the process, the Court has put the...

Column: Mohegan Tribe looking to enter online gaming business (07/30)

"The issue is now percolating in Washington, and last week, Mohegan Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which has crafted proposed legislation that would make sure that tribes...

NIGA: Internet gaming a hot topic as tribal leaders meet in DC (07/25)

"Right now, the National Indian Gaming Association is hosting its 2012 summer Legislative Summit in Washington, DC. Over 260 tribal leaders will attend the two-day event at the Rasmuson Theater in the National Museum of...

Editorial: Land-into-trust a big hurdle for Massachusetts casino (07/20)

"The stipulation under the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act to give first preference in the Southeastern Massachusetts region to a Native American tribe came with several strict deadlines that had to be met. Through a cooperative...

Editorial: Clarity needed on Indian gaming industry in Alabama (07/19)

"Two Alabama casino operatives who pleaded guilty to trying to buy votes from Alabama legislators over an ill-fated gambling bill pushed by private casinos were sentenced to prison this week. A third defendant-turned-witness, then-state Rep....

Opinion: A smart bet on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino (07/19)

"In the relay race to build Las Vegas-style casinos in the Bay State, the Mashpee Wampanoag have been jumping all the hurdles like Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses. A pact with a host community? Taunton....

Editorial: Navajo Nation casino brings hope for self-sufficiency (07/19)

"The casino will be at Twin Arrows off Interstate 40 east of Flagstaff. It will be the first Arizona casino for the Navajo Nation and the first one in Coconino County. Three other Navajo casinos...

Letter: Michigan tribes offer few protections for gaming workers (07/17)

"Twenty-two of the 25 existing casinos in Michigan are tribal, and seven more are being proposed. As of right now, when an employee falls victim to discriminatory action within a tribal casino, he or she...

Editorial: Off-reservation gaming not a good policy for California (07/17)

"California does not need a gambling land rush. Gov. Jerry Brown should reject two proposals for off-reservation casinos in California, to avoid setting a bad precedent. California tribes should confine gambling operations to reservations, not...

Editorial: Weigh impact of $246M Poarch Creek casino expansion (07/16)

"The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is clearly confident — $246 million worth of confident — that it will prevail in any legal dispute over its federal recognition as a tribe and the legality of...

Editorial: California communities left out of tribal gaming debate (07/16)

"What does the Obama administration have against the residents of Amador County? Tiny Amador, home to just 38,000 people, is fighting a pitched battle with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to prevent the construction...

Column: Obama's administration loosens rules for tribal casinos (07/16)

"President Barack Obama has gone out of his way to try to make amends for America's history of genocidal treatment of Indians. That's understandable, morally and politically. In this election year, Obama will need all...

Editorial: Dispute over Poarch Creek's casinos is all about money (07/11)

"Escambia County is not wealthy. The median household income there is slightly below the Alabama state average, and the percentage of its residents living below the poverty line is slightly above. However, Escambia County does...

Opinion: Masphee Wampanoag Tribe's casino deal bad for region (07/11)

"On June 9, Taunton voted for a tribal resort destination casino in the hope of jobs and economic development. This is perfectly understandable after years of stagnation and a continuous reduction in local aid from...

Opinion: Eastern Cherokee gaming seen as an economic engine (07/10)

"Farmers are decidedly independent-minded and frugal, as you can observe in a Grant Wood oil painting of note. However, the very opposite of those character traits would be for farmers to meekly accept economic rescue...

Opinion: Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe eyes off-reservation casino (07/09)

"We have entered a new phase of legal gambling in South Dakota. This summer, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is pursuing a casino in Sioux Falls, by openly dangling the promise of millions of dollars...

Editorial: Good compromise on Grand Traverse Band gaming funds (07/09)

"The Grand Traverse County board's decision to continue acting as a conduit for gambling revenue grants from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians may cause more work for the county. But the...

Opinion: Supreme Court decision and its impact on Indian gaming (07/05)

"By this time, everyone with an interest in gaming, is aware of last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision rendered in the case of Match-EBe- Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians v. Patchak. The Tribe is commonly...

Opinion: Patchak decision affects Twentynine Palms Band casino (07/05)

"While all eyes were on the U.S. Supreme Court as it deliberated over the Affordable Care Act, the nation's highest court handed down an unrelated decision that may well have significant impact on one of...

Robert McGhee: Poarch Creek gaming pays for essential services (07/02)

"In 1984, the United States federally recognized the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. A short time later, we opened our first gaming operation. Under federal law, we must use our gaming revenues, first and foremost,...

Letter: Bad River Band should address air quality at its casino (06/27)

"Mike Wiggins Jr., chairman of the Bad River Indian Nation claims to be concerned about “air quality” in an article published June 13 when it comes to iron ore mines, yet workers employed in the...

Dwanna Robertson: Not all tribes getting rich from Indian gaming (06/25)

"If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me about receiving money from Indian casinos, I might be relatively rich. No such luck. Non-Native people generally assume Indians are getting rich from tribal...

Editorial: Seeking a better start for Graton Rancheria casino talks (06/25)

" The obvious benefit of building a casino near an urbanized area such as Rohnert Park with quick access to a major highway is that it brings gaming closer to more potential customers. But what...

Opinion: First Nations looking to get some Internet gaming action (06/21)

"The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority reportedly is trying to establish Las Vegas-style sports gambling in the province. I'm just glad we didn't have this before I learned the golden rule of sports gambling: Never bet...

Editorial: Tribes are pulling the strings in Internet gaming battle (06/20)

"Despite federal and state bans on online poker, as many as 1 million Californians spend a total of about $300 million annually playing the game — typically on websites based outside the country. Lawmakers have...

Opinion: Fond du Lac Band holding upper hand in gaming dispute (06/18)

"Congratulations to editorial cartoonist Steve Lindstrom for his May 31 cartoon in the News Tribune depicting the city of Duluth’s struggle to maintain its casino contract with the Fond du Lac tribe. The cartoon correctly...

Opinion: Supreme Court ruling could affect Poarch Creek casinos (06/15)

"While attention is focused on the pending decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on Obamacare, the court will issue another decision that could have major ramifications for the state of Alabama. Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi...

Editorial: Putting an end to non-Indian casino expansion debate (06/14)

"Last week the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe, which owns Mystic Lake casino, and the Canterbury Park horse-racing track announced the tribe would contribute $75 million duirng the next decade to the track’s prize purses. In exchange,...

Editorial: Poarch Creeks and county can address casino dispute (06/13)

"Anyone who thought the dispute between the Escambia County Commission and Poarch Band of Creek Indians would end with a statement last week from the acting chief of the Interior Department’s Indian Affairs Bureau was...

Editorial: Promising deal between Shakopee Tribe and racetrack (06/13)

"Today -- fittingly in Shakopee, named for a Dakota chief -- the Minnesota Racing Commission will consider whether to approve a chance for a positive turn in this state's relationships with its native tribes. At...

Roy Hall: Shasta Nation opposed to Karuk Tribe gaming project (06/12)

"The review and approval of the Karuk Tribe of California Tribal gaming ordinance without the review of the Sovereign Shasta Nation is not acceptable. The document is flawed with abundant errors and ommissions of fact....

Editorial: Fort Sill Apache off-reservation casino deserves shot (06/12)

"Persistence is beginning to pay off for tribal leaders who for several years have been seeking to open a casino in Akela Flats, along Interstate 10 between Las Cruces and Deming. The Office of Indian...

Opinion: 'Frustrating' casino discussions with sovereign nation (06/12)

"The debate over the merits of a proposed Indian casino on the outskirts of Rohnert Park will continue on Tuesday evening at a special public hearing before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. It's a...

Column: Doubts about policing of non-Indians at tribal casinos (06/08)

"It is pretty clear that police officers employed by American Indian tribes do not have criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians, according to a 1978 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court known as Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian...

Editorial: Sure looks like Poarch Creek casinos are here to stay (06/08)

"A federal official answered the Escambia County Commission’s question in the most direct manner possible. In a short letter, Donald Laverdure of the U.S. Department of the Interior stated clearly and succinctly that the land...

Column: Shakopee Tribe racetrack deal a benefit to entire state (06/07)

"In 1997, former state Sen. Dick Day sponsored a bill that would allow slot machines to be installed at Canterbury Park. Back then, few people were familiar with the concept of a racino, the now-common...

Editorial: Take pre-emptive strike against off-reservation casino (06/05)

"A Rockford casino would also be a pre-emptive strike against the proposed casino just across the state line in Beloit, Wis. The plans for the complex — 15 miles from downtown Rockford — are moving...

Opinion: Eastern Cherokee casino compact seems like a bad bet (06/04)

"North Carolina's proposed new compact to allow table games with live dealers at casinos in Cherokee may violate the state constitution, Jeanette Doran of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law writes in a recent memo....

Editorial: Local governments seek more control over casino fund (06/04)

"The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, as was its right, retained the authority to decide how the money, calculated as 2 percent of the so-called “net win” from electronic gaming devices, would be distributed. It set...

Editorial: Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe casino vote being ignored (05/31)

"What’s the point of asking voters to weigh in on a referendum if officials won’t even be guided by their will? A whopping majority of Freetown voters who turned out for the nonbinding referendum Tuesday...

Darrell Rose: Some questions about Karuk Tribe's gaming plans (05/30)

"Just wanted to straighten out a few things concerning the letter I submitted about the Karuk casino. A few people have gotten a bit upset, maybe a bit mixed up, as to what I really...

Steve Moss: Northern Arapaho Tribe should account for gaming (05/30)

"Well, our general counsel meeting did not go as planned. One of our main concerns was the casinos. Where is the money going? Why do we still owe the bank for a loan that should...

Opinion: Light at the end of tunnel for Graton Rancheria's casino (05/29)

"The Graton Rancheria was federally recognized as an Indian tribe on December 27, 2000, by an Act of Congress. The Tribe has been continuously pursuing development of a casino for the ensuing 11½ years, but...

Editorial: Graton Rancheria casino poses a threat to community (05/28)

"Now that the state legislature has moved with remarkable alacrity to approve a gaming compact enabling construction of an unwanted mega-casino in Rohneart Park, Petaluma residents can only speculate on how soon it will be...

Editorial: A shotgun wedding on tribal casinos in Massachusetts (05/28)

"Maybe Massachusetts legislators’ minds had wandered to Vegas when they came up with the shotgun wedding approach for the first round of casino licensing in southeastern Massachusetts. The result — as we’re seeing in Freetown,...

Opinion: Dirty politics in Wisconsin off-reservation casino battle (05/25)

"If Wisconsin voters think Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is the kind of guy who fights on behalf of the poor against the rich, they need to wise up. The man who carries Democrats' hopes to...

Editorial: Public left in the dark over Chumash casino liquor bid (05/24)

"What if they held a public hearing but nobody came? Better yet, what if they held a public hearing but didn’t bother to tell the public about it? That’s nearly what happened this week when...

Opinion: More and more states are looking for gaming revenues (05/23)

"A surprising fact: Gamblers spent more last year at commercial casinos in Indiana than they did at non-Indian casinos in all but three other states — not surprisingly, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The 11...

Editorial: Kialegee Tribal Town loses big gamble with casino bid (05/22)

"The Kialegee Tribal Town lost its gamble - temporarily - to muscle into the oversaturated Indian casino business by throwing up a building in Broken Arrow near schools and neighborhoods. The audacious move was -...

Opinion: Decision opens tribes to litigation over gaming disputes (05/21)

"This brings us to the major point of this writing, the issue of sovereign immunity of federally-recognized Indian tribes from legal actions bought by non-Indians (see Santa Clara Pueblo v. Matinenz 436 US, 49,58 (1978))....

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais: Vote yes on Aquinnah casino project (05/21)

"Before going to the polls on May 29 in Freetown and June 2 in Lakeville to vote on a casino referendum, residents are no doubt asking themselves: What does a yes vote mean? A yes...

Greg McKinney: Racism surfaces in Wampanoag casino debate (05/17)

"As the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe engages in a process that will culminate in establishing a valuable economic development enterprise in Southeastern Massachusetts, we have kept our heads high. Our position as a federally recognized tribe...

Opinion: DOJ opens the door for tribes and Internet gambling (05/17)

"With federal internet gaming legislation apparently unlikely in the near future, many Indian tribal governments are considering the prospect of conducting intrastate internet gaming. The Justice Department widened the opening for intrastate internet gaming last...

Opinion: New York set to expand non-Indian casino offerings (05/15)

"The New York State Legislature recently voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that would allow seven Las Vegas-style, non-Indian-owned, private casinos. The amendment will need to be approved by the Legislature again and then...

Opinion: Land-into-trust clouds Mashpee Wampanoag casino (05/14)

"In the May 8 edition of the Taunton Daily Gazette, Michael Speller, a spokesman for Arkana, the local subsidiary of the Malaysian Genting Syndicate, the financial backers of the Mashpee tribe’s efforts to establish a...

Opinion: Graton Rancheria casino not good for the community (05/09)

"Last week, the legislature held informational hearings on the proposed tribal gaming compact between the state and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. If the compact is approved by the state Legislature, signed by the...

Editorial: Catawba Nation loses first round in gaming battle (05/07)

"The Catawba Indian Nation lost the first round in its attempt to build a casino on the tribe’s reservation, and despite the promise of an appeal, last month’s ruling by a circuit court judge dims...

Editorial: Let voters decide on Poarch Creek gaming machines (05/03)

"Did you ever wonder why folks like Milton McGregor couldn’t have electronic bingo machines legally, but Native American tribes could? What a coincidence. So did Attorney General Luther Strange. That’s why he is asking the...

Column: Some strange conclusions on Poarch Creek gaming (05/01)

"The Internal Revenue Service says Class III gaming “consists of card games played against the house, slot machines, dog and horse racing, jai alai and all other types of casino gaming.” So what are those...

Opinion: Big doubts about Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe casino (04/27)

"The State Expanded Gaming Act has put the residents and towns in Region C, Southeastern Massachusetts, in a lose-lose position and created a vehicle for lawyers to be the only winners. For starters, consider this:...

Opinion: Some pros and cons for Graton Rancheria's casino (04/26)

"As someone who enjoys gambling, I felt a surge of excitement when I heard that a big, Vegas-style Indian casino was approved for Rohnert Park. Last month's compact between the state and the Federated Indians...

Editorial: Killing the golden goose -- Poarch Creek casinos (04/25)

"Something strange is going on in Escambia County, where the Poarch Band of Creek Indians operate a large casino complex. The Poarch Creeks, the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, also own casinos in Montgomery...

Karen Karsten: Racism and hypocrisy over Seneca casino (04/23)

"Several articles recently appeared in local publications about the Seneca Nation's casinos, and one article in the Buffalo News about the Hamburg Casino. Frank Parlato, publisher of the Niagara Falls Reporter, went on a full...

Editorial: Lawmakers could block Graton Rancheria casino (04/23)

"Hopes of avoiding the crushing impacts of an unwanted mega-casino in Rohnert Park may be fading, but are not yet completely dimmed. Thanks to action taken earlier this week by the Petaluma City Council, North...

Opinion: Poarch Creeks are big winners in gaming debate (04/20)

"The winner in the entire scenario has been the Indian casinos. Casinos operated by the Poarch Creek Indians have operated uninterrupted and without any competition for over two years. They fall under federal, not state,...

Opinion: Few answers on Mashpee Wampanoag casino (04/20)

"Recently, I was invited by a relative to attend a meeting about the proposed casino. This meeting was conducted by members of Together for Taunton, a pro-casino group financed by the tribe, with a representative...

Opinion: A vision for a smoke-free casino by Karuk Tribe (04/20)

"I have a vision of the new Karuk casino being called the “Mt. Shasta Casino” and the tribe breaking tradition of all other Indian Tribes that seem to promote heavy smoking. I see them promoting...

Editorial: Odd alliance against Graton Rancheria casino (04/20)

"Talk about your strange bedfellows. With the political battle over a tribal casino in Rohnert Park shifting to the state Legislature, local opponents are suddenly on the same side as other California Indian tribes. These...

Opinion: White Earth off-reservation casino a good idea (04/19)

"Some state legislators have put the brakes on funding for a new Vikings stadium. There is reluctance for a variety of reasons, ranging from giving money to a wealthy team owner to making a decision...

Opinion: Waiting for answers on Graton Rancheria casino (04/19)

"It's the biggest private development ever proposed for the North Bay and probably the most controversial, but most of our leaders don't want to talk about it. That's the impression I was left with after...

Opinion: Evict Seneca Nation for withholding casino funds (04/16)

"For more than two years, they haven't paid a dime. Perhaps it is time to consider eviction, foreclosure or to cancel the contract. Time to develop municipal muscle. In 2002, Albany made a compact with...

Letter: Enterprise Rancheria casino good for community (04/16)

"I am writing this letter in support of the Enterprise Rancheria resort casino. As a person who has lived my entire life in Yuba County and has raised a family here, I see so many...

Editorial: Internet poker bill another bad bet in California (04/16)

"Some bad ideas just won't go away. Case in point: a revived law to allow online gambling in California. This time around, all the big players - casino tribes, cardrooms and racetracks- want to bring...

Editorial: Kialegee Tribal Town is an 'intruder' with casino (04/16)

"The Kialegee Tribal Town might someday prevail and open its Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow. That, however, is far from a certainty - this is uncharted legal territory - and even if the tribe...

Column: Winners and losers for Graton Rancheria casino (04/13)

"If Proposition 1A to amend the California Constitution in March 2000 had proposed to open up the state to billion-dollar Las Vegas gambling interests with no provision for them to pay taxes on the money...

Opinion: North Fork Rancheria takes high road on casino (04/13)

"It's no secret that conflict sells newspapers and generates web clicks. And when an adversary brings the fight to your front door, it's hard to hold back. That's why I have to give some credit...

Editorial: Don't be fooled by push for casinos in Michigan (04/12)

"Two groups are seeking to qualify ballot measures for the November election that could authorize a combined 15 new casinos in Michigan, adding to the 25 already in place here. We’re not going to try...

Opinion: Opposition to White Earth casino all about greed (04/12)

"It seems our gutless legislators have decided gambling is not the answer for funding a stadium. I have heard all the arguments against it, everything from “We don’t think it is right to expand gambling”...

Editorial: White Earth off-reservation casino is a good idea (04/11)

"Wouldn’t it be nice if legislators in St. Paul and the other powers-that-be that have a say in whether or not the Minnesota Vikings get a new stadium would have to speak the truth, like...

Letter: Spokane off-reservation casino won't harm military (04/11)

"I have been watching events unfold regarding the building of the Spokane Tribe’s casino in Airway Heights. Until recently, there has been little opposition. Enter the Greater Spokane Incorporated chamber of commerce and four Republican...

Editorial: White Earth off-reservation casino bid a win-win (04/10)

"The White Earth Nation, an American Indian nation with lands in north central Minnesota, has proposed fronting the state’s portion of the cost of a new Vikings stadium in exchange for the rights to build...

Robert Porter: Seneca Nation wants state to keep promise (04/09)

"In 2002, the Seneca Nation and New York state entered into a “compact” under nation, state and federal law permitting the nation to open three casinos in Western New York. In exchange for the highest-allowable...

Column: The magic is gone from Mashantucket Pequot casino (04/09)

"A recent posting by Lori Potter, a Mashantucket Pequot who blogs about things on the reservation, got me reminiscing, too, about the heady days at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Potter wrote about looking out the windows...

Editorial: Tribal casinos creeping in urban areas in California (04/09)

"Indian gaming is creeping into the urban Bay Area. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a compact last month with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which plans to build a 3,000-slot machine casino in Rohnert Park....

Glenda Nelson: Enterprise Rancheria needs land for casino (04/09)

"The Enterprise Rancheria now seeks partial recourse for those lost tribal reservation lands and resources by acquiring new "Indian trust lands" within its historical lands along the Feather River watershed near the City of Marysville...

Editorial: Treat Shinnecock Nation fairly in casino discussion (04/09)

"It's long past time for the Shinnecock Indian Nation -- whose South Fork land was stolen outright by Albany and whose legitimate claims to federal recognition languished far too long in the bureaucracy -- to...

Editorial: Non-Indians have a right to protest tribal casinos (04/09)

"Two related Michigan cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court test the Obama administration's unfair and untenable position. Twenty-eight California-based citizen groups led by Cheryl Schmit of Penryn, and her small nonprofit organization, Stand Up...

Chickasaw Nation drops name of gaming facility for ballpark (04/06)

The Chickasaw Nation still owns the naming rights to a baseball stadium in Oklahoma City but the facility won't be known as the "Newcastle Casino Field." The stadium will now be called the "Chickasaw Bricktown...

Joe Valandra: NIGC Class II draft regulations are a good start (04/05)

"The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) recently published discussion drafts of a set of regulations for Class II. These are the first set of regulations for Class II put forth by Chairwoman Stevens and are...

Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming bad for Michigan (04/04)

"How many times does Michigan want to roll the dice? If various groups have their way, the answer may be "all the time." Two different casino proposals would blanket the state with slots and table...

Editorial: Tough call on Mashantucket slot machine tax case (04/03)

"Like a poker player who has wagered a stack of chips on a hand only to have an opponent draw a pair of aces, the town of Ledyard has a tough call on its long,...

Opinion: NIGC review process puts tribes at a disadvantage (04/02)

"One area of vital importance to many Indian tribes is the relationship of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”) to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). The National Indian Gaming Commission (“NIGC”) requires Indian tribes...

Clinton Pattea: Indian gaming has been beneficial to Arizona (04/02)

"This Arizona centennial year also marks 10 years since Arizona tribes signed new gaming compacts with the state. These compacts provided an avenue for tribes to share gaming revenues with all Arizonans. As of February,...

Opinion: Fears of a gaming expansion with land-into-trust (03/29)

"Another expansion of Northern California's Cache Creek Casino is on the horizon. The Yocha De He Wintun tribe has applied to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to annex 853 acres of their Capay Valley fee...

Editorial: Include Shinnecock Nation in state's gaming plans (03/26)

"Genting Group's multibillion-dollar wager on a huge convention center in Queens is really not that risky a bet for the operators of the state's newest racino at Aqueduct Racetrack. But it could be a poor...

Opinion: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's casino wrong for city (03/26)

"On Feb. 15, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe signed an option for the land in East Taunton in the Liberty and Union Industrial Park. At a press conference on Feb. 29, the mayor announced that the...

Opinion: California deserves fair share from Internet gaming (03/26)

"Most opponents to online gaming in California approach the debate as if it is a question of whether or not there will be online gaming in the state. But that question has long ago been...

Opinion: Oppose off-reservation gaming for Manzanita Band (03/22)

"Most residents of Imperial County are aware and have read articles in English and in Spanish about the proposed off-reservation casino of the Manzanita Band of Mission Indians (Tribe) that is to be located in...

Column: Mashantucket Tribe proves gaming isn't a cash cow (03/22)

"If you're still convinced that casinos are cash cows, you need to look at what has happened at Foxwoods in southeastern Connecticut. At a glance you might think they're on easy street with nearly 40,000...

Opinion: Tribal gaming compact a bad bet for Massachusetts (03/22)

"The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe recently announced plans to enter into negotiations with Gov. Deval Patrick for a gaming "compact" for a casino in Taunton. The Aquinnah tribe has also expressed an interest in negotiating such...

Opinion: Politicians in Alabama take wrong views of gaming (03/21)

"Our former Gov. Bob Riley, instead of coming to the aid of his Mississippi Choctaw friends by helping them get approval to move some of their casino operations to Alabama, targeted legal non-Indian gaming operations...

Editorial: City makes right decision on Soo Tribe casino plan (03/21)

"Efforts to develop the $245 million Kewadin Lansing casino will move forward now that the Lansing City Council has given approval to various agreements needed to support the proposal. Plenty of hurdles remain, but now...

Column: Casino industry lost big figure in Richard Milanovich (03/21)

"Sometimes the intermingling of art and reality is just plain spooky. Last week, two of the most important figures in California's gambling picture died within hours of one another. Richard Milanovich, who as longtime chairman...

Opinion: Expert lacks credibility on Wampanoag casino plan (03/20)

"When considering an opinion it is critical to consider the bias of the one giving the opinion to determine if the opinion is truly independent. Just as important to consider are the credentials of the...

Editorial: Time for a real conversation on New York gaming (03/19)

"When word first surfaced that Gov. Andrew Cuomo was considering the legalization of Las Vegas-style casinos in New York state, we expressed our usual reservations about turning toward the gambling industry as an economic development...

Editorial: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's bad casino dealing (03/19)

"Middleboro officials are correct when they say the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe shouldn’t be moving “from one community to another” in an attempt to get the best deal possible for a casino. It is unseemly;...

Raymond Hunter: A new vision for Jamul Band casino plan (03/19)

"The Jamul Indian Village has been working for many years to develop a gaming facility on our federal tribal trust land. This effort has not been without controversy. We are now creating a new vision...

Editorial: Poarch Creeks cashing in on gambling monopoly (03/16)

"A recent gambling-industry study revealed that tribal casinos in Alabama have been raking in money faster than similar casinos across the United States. Faster, that is, than the Indian casinos in Mississippi, which flood Alabama...

Erma Vizenor: Everyone wins with White Earth casino plan (03/16)

"Myths and money once again are distorting the conversation on gambling that Minnesotans should be having. Instead of examining the best solution, policymakers and editorial writers are turning their backs on the only solution that...

Editorial: Take a stand against bingo corruption in Alabama (03/14)

"Get ready for another bingo boom across Alabama, the same unchecked, unregulated, untaxed patchwork of gambling halls that landed the state in such trouble two years ago. But this time, federal prosecutors — stung by...

Erma Vizenor: Urban casino will address White Earth needs (03/13)

"This is an election year and it’s far easier for my opponents to cast stones and use strong rhetoric. Current claims that the White Earth Nation’s effort to secure an urban casino is a “clever...

Editorial: Respecting tribal gaming compacts in Minnesota (03/12)

"An NFL stadium in which a franchise can thrive and a region can take pride comes close to being a basic public amenity in a modern American metropolis. We'd rate it important enough to justify...

Editorial: Off-reservation casino clashes with military base (03/12)

"Release of the draft environmental impact study for the proposed Spokane Tribe casino development moves the complex, multitrack reviews of that project, and an almost certainly incompatible upgrade of Fairchild Air Force Base, into a...

Opinion: Pascua Yaqui Tribe to recreate 'Tucson' at casino (03/12)

"Downtown Tucson is relocating to the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. This week Casino del Sol announced the construction of a resort called "Downtown Tucson" 12 miles west of Tucson's actual city center. Pascua Yaqui Tribal Chairman...

Editorial: Community deserves shot at off-reservation casino (03/08)

"Amid talk of this new casino push, it is important to remember the Bay Mills Indian Community still hopes to open a Port Huron casino. A casino the tribe opened in Vanderbilt was a test...

Opinion: Kialegee Tribal Town's casino won't help community (03/08)

"First let me say that I respect the sovereignty of the tribes, including the Kialegee Tribe, which is behind the proposed casino in south Broken Arrow. With all due respect to the tribal town, my...

Column: Michigan needs new motto with rapid gaming growth (03/06)

"Twenty-two more casinos? The plans revealed in Sunday’s Free Press to nearly double the gambling dens in Michigan would surely change the landscape of the Great Lakes State. And we’d probably have to think about...

Opinion: Forest County casino hotel looks too slick for 'hood (03/05)

"The newest designs for a planned, 20-story hotel at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino look like an improvement. But a comparison of the newest renderings, presented to the city’s Plan Commission last week, and earlier ones...

Editorial: Seneca Nation shows bad manners with casino ban (03/05)

"The recent decision by the leaders of the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel to ban state Sen. Mark Grisanti and his wife, Maria, from the premises, after a recent incident at the casino, seems childish...

Marge Anderson: More gaming a threat to tribes in Minnesota (03/02)

"The White Earth Band of Chippewa is the latest group to propose going into business with the state of Minnesota on a Twin Cities casino. Many people — including band members, our employees, and neighbors...

Erma Vizenor: Tribal opposition to casino is based on politics (02/29)

"The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association exists to protect the status quo in gaming. That’s not a surprise, given that the most influential members of the organization are the tribes with the most successful casinos. But...

Opinion: New York governor pushes for non-Indian gaming (02/28)

"Close your eyes for a second. Imagine walking through the main lobby of a casino. Your stomach is churning with anticipation. You can feel the excitement. You can smell the money, lots of it. You’re...

Editorial: Redding Rancheria working toward second casino (02/28)

"Plain speaking is a rarity in the law, but the introduction to U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Conti's ruling against the Redding Rancheria in its lawsuit against the Interior Department was an admirable exception. "This...

Tribal Leaders: Off-reservation casino is bad for Minnesota (02/27)

"The Red Lake Nation and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, along with other member tribes of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, are opposed to efforts by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to develop...

Gabe Galanda: Tribal gaming industry facing major threats (02/27)

"Indian gaming is the first tribal economy that has ever brought the type of non-Indian capital to Indian Country to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Reservation Indians. Today, however, Indian gaming is...

Editorial: Pass ban on gaming at Internet cafes in Florida (02/24)

"The developers who had hoped to build huge destination resort casinos in South Florida rolled snake eyes with the Legislature. Bills to allow the new gambling palaces look like they're dead for this session. We...

Editorial: Taking action to halt Kialegee Tribal Town casino (02/24)

"Attorney General Scott Pruitt has not only voiced his opposition to a casino in Broken Arrow, he is taking actions to correct this injustice. That stands in stark contrast to a host of city and...

Editorial: Long fight expected over Jamul Band casino plans (02/21)

"The Battle of Jamul, probably the fiercest fight ever involving an Indian casino proposed for rural San Diego County, is on again. Encouragingly, it began with what might be considered a peace offering. But it...

Letter: Greed drives Enterprise Rancheria casino opposition (02/21)

"Native American tribes have been fighting for equality forever in the state of California. It's a long hard road but we keep working at it. There are many road blocks against the tribes from the...

Erma Vizenor: Casino a win-win for White Earth Band, state (02/21)

"Those who live close to the land understand that you don’t go from planting to harvesting overnight. A crop takes resources, time and nurturing before the investment is returned in a bountiful yield. The same...

Editorial: Tribal casino holds some promise in South Carolina (02/20)

"The recent emergence of gambling issues on several fronts says it's time again for a full-throated debate on this subject, especially given South Carolina's history on gambling and its statutory ban against most forms of...

Column: At least a dozen states looking at Internet gaming (02/17)

"Nevada is the first state to make it legal for state residents to play poker online. It won't be the last, however. At least a dozen states are looking at Internet gambling as the latest...

Column: Still many questions after Seneca Nation casino fight (02/16)

"Memo to street thugs everywhere with a score to settle: Dress in suits and have your throw-down in a fancy bar in full view of everyone, not on some dimly lit street corner. Then you,...

Editor: The strange story of Mark Grisanti and Seneca casino (02/15)

"The tale of State Sen. Mark Grisanti's involvement in a fight at the Seneca Niagara Casino last weekend is one of the most bizarre local news stories to come along in quite a while. Because...

Editorial: Tribal gaming a boost for economy in Connecticut (02/15)

"The tribe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Foxwoods Resort Casino today, a remarkable achievement that has significantly changed the landscape of Eastern Connecticut, and mostly for the better. There certainly have been a few...

Editorial: Off-reservation casinos won't be jackpot for state (02/15)

"City leaders in Sheboygan are betting on a casino for new jobs and revenue. So are officials in economically hard-hit Beloit. So are a lot of governors across the country, eager for an easy win...

Sen. Akaka/Rep. Bono Mack: Consult tribes on online gaming (02/15)

"As Congress debates whether to legalize Internet gaming, it’s important to guarantee that Native American tribes are dealt a fair and honest hand. They deserve nothing less. Not inviting majority stakeholders to weigh in when...

Opinion: State should honor Seneca Nation gaming compact (02/13)

"Did you hear the one about Cuomo and the casinos? The governor has been traveling the state with a one-liner about racetrack gambling. “We don’t have casinos, so instead we developed racinos. But what’s a...

Opinion: Lobbyists always win when it comes to tribal gaming (02/09)

"One of the issues discussed in my new essay on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is the lobbying by groups of American Indians seeking official tribal status. The BIA has the power to confer...

Editorial: Lawsuit can help resolve fight over Kialegee casino (02/09)

"At a minimum, a lawsuit by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt against the Kialegee Tribal Town, over its right to build a casino near the Creek Expressway in Broken Arrow, frames the federal issues and...

Editorial: Death of non-Indian gaming bill is good for Florida (02/07)

"The decision by two state lawmakers on Friday to concede defeat, at least for now, of legislation that would further expand casino gambling in Florida is good for the state's family-friendly image and residents who...

Editorial: Tribal gaming monopoly a big question in Michigan (02/07)

"We agree with a law professor who opined upon hearing that an established Indian Tribe was seeking permission to open a casino in Lansing that the whole specter could create a backlash against Indian gaming...

Editorial: Give Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino more time (02/07)

"The clock is ticking on the eight-month head start granted the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to complete a plan for a casino in southeastern Massachusetts. Under the new casino law, if the tribe can acquire land...

Valerie Spicer: Arizona tribes share $640M in gaming revenues (02/06)

"This year marks 10 years since Arizona tribes signed new gaming compacts with the state of Arizona. These compacts provide an avenue for tribes to share gaming revenues with all Arizonans. As of September 2011,...

Opinion: Tribal gaming isn't the only choice in South Carolina (02/06)

"Perhaps it's a coincidence that the Catawba Indian Nation renewed its efforts to force our state to authorize high-stakes gambling just as the Cherokees started trying to build political support for a casino in Jasper...

Editorial: Internet gaming not a good option for Connecticut (02/06)

"Any expansion of the state’s gambling — either online or the introduction of new games, such as keno — has been rejected by lawmakers and the governor in the coming legislative session, at least for...

Editorial: Avoid name-calling in off-reservation gaming fight (02/06)

"Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has a well earned reputation for being quick on his feet and conveying his passion for an issue. Who doesn’t recall his stint as America’s “angry mayor,” appearing on countless national...

Ron Garrow: Mohawk preference policy ignored for casino (02/02)

"Take a quick survey of the northeast corner of St. Lawrence County and the northwest corner of Franklin County, and one would see and hear from residents that the only real economic activity that is...

Editorial: Tribal gaming projects not good for South Carolina (02/01)

"South Carolina’s love-hate relationship with gambling is heading for another round of…well…loving and hating, in the state legislature and elsewhere. At issue are plans for Native American-sponsored casinos at two potential locales. Members of the...