Indian Gaming > Off-reservation gaming proposals face big curbs

June 13, 2006

Off-reservation gaming proposals face big curbs

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Tribes hoping to establish casinos hundreds of miles away from existing reservations already have a tough time navigating the state and federal process.

But efforts on the national and state levels are making it hard. The Interior Department won't approve compacts for off-reservation sites unless the land is already held in trust. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) won't negotiate unless tribes meet state requirements.

Bills pending in the Senate and the House would put up more hurdles. Tribes with existing reservation lands will no longer be able to seek off-reservation casinos and could no longer file land claims in hopes of settling for gaming rights.

Tribes without reservations would still be able to acquire land for gaming but they face stricter requirements and must work harder to gain local support.

Get the Story:
Tribes eye land off reservations for new casinos (The Sacramento Bee 6/12)