Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, is leading the effort to revise the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

There have been no major amendments to the law since it was passed 17 years ago. McCain says changes are needed in light of the expansion of the industry from $200 million in 1988 to $19 billion as of 2005.

S.2078 would increase the authority of the National Indian Gaming Commission to regulate Class III gaming and to review and approve contracts between tribes and gaming entities. It would also make it harder for tribes to acquire off-reservation land for gaming.

McCain has held six hearings on gaming issues since he took over the committee last year. "We are attending those meetings where that issue is being brought up," Fred Cantu, the chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, told The Morning Sun. The tribe operates and manages its Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and was a former client of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

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Senate looks at gaming oversight (The Morning Sun 2/26)