The San Diego Union Tribune publishes opposing views on off-reservation gaming.

Attorney Joe Findaro says landless and poor tribes should be given a chance to succeed in Indian gaming. He cites two cases in California where off-reservation casinos will benefit tribes and the local community.

"The Obama Administration has a duty to bring real change to Indian Country – a duty to ensure that all tribes are given a reasonable opportunity to provide for their people," Findaro writes. "Poor, landless and disadvantaged tribes must be put on a level playing field with wealthy tribes. Congress must insist that the secretary of the interior, as trustee for all tribes, formulate policies without unwarranted interference from those seeking to impede economic development and job growth for Indians."

Wally Leimgruber, a supervisor in Imperial County, says off-reservation gaming proposals should be subject to higher scrutiny. He says the Manzanita Band of Mission Indians doesn't meet state and federal criteria.

"The proposed site is located in a market area now shared by four existing tribal casinos. This raises significant economic feasibility concerns over the future success and the forecasted revenue to the city of Calexico and the county of Imperial," Leimgruber writes. "Moreover, will the proposed development phases of the destination casino resort ever come to fruition and deliver the promised economic growth?"

Get the Story:
Joe Findaro: Casinos in urban areas would put poor and landless tribes on equal footing with wealthy ones (The San Diego Union Tribune 12/13)
Wally Leimgruber: Tribes do not and should not have automatic right to develop off-reservation casinos (The San Diego Union Tribune 12/13)