Native American/First Nations History

» CHWoman - Indian Gaming

Interesting article on Indian Gaming and nice to see something Pro for a change. However, I think it is only fair to point out to readers that the picture is not all as rosy as it may appear. Under the section of IGRA that deals with the accepted uses of casino income is "to donate to charitable organizations; or (v) to help fund operations of local government agencies;" It's that (v) that the same state governments that ignored the needs of Indian nations when they were generally poor, have now been using to extort larger and larger portions of the take as some Indian casinos have gained great success.
Most gaming nations end up entering into some form of "compact" with the state which is supposed to cover additional expenses that might be incurred due to increased traffic, policing, etc. However, it sticks in the craw of most state and local governments that they cannot simply tax gaming proceeds. Unfortunately, state government can use various types of pressure to get more out of the compact. They can threaten to legalize gambling throughout the state, thus creating more competition. They can play with the definitions of various classes of gaming or the number of slots a casino can have. Lately there have been agreements with out of state tribes, who enter into agreements with the state in order to break into a lucrative market thus putting pressure on the existing gaming tribes to do the same.
There is also a huge controversy going on now as to whether the Oneida nation owes back taxes on the land it purchased to build the Turning Stone Casino. As it wended its way through the courts, time and again the decision came down that the Oneida had a right to that property based on original land claims. However, the Supreme Court decided that, while the Oneida might have an original claim to the property, it had to be put into trust by Congress before it could be considered part of the Oneida reservation and removed from the tax base.
The Indian Wars in the US continue in one form or another.

-- posted by CHWoman