Indian Gaming > Montana governor offers gaming deal extension

November 30, 2006

Montana governor offers gaming deal extension

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) visited the Flathead Reservation on Wednesday and said he offered the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes a last-minute extension to the gaming compact.

Schweitzer said he hoped the tribe would accept the extension while a new compact is pursued. But tribal leaders previously rejected an extension.

One sticking point is regulation. The tribe wants authority over all gaming facilities on the reservation, whether operated by Indians or non-Indians.

Schweitzer says he can't do that without a change in state law. But the tribe says it has authority under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The National Indian Gaming Commission has interpreted the law to give tribes broad jurisdiction over gaming within the boundaries of reservations.

Another sticking point is the tribe's request to increase the number of casino machines. Schweitzer says he will not agree to any "expansion" of gaming.

Get the Story:
In the 11th hour: Governor offers CSKT officials extension of current Flathead gaming compact (The Missoulian 11/30)