Editorial: A bad bet on off-reservation casinos

Friday, September 25, 2009  

"While Gov. Charlie Crist pushes his campaign to expand gambling at Seminole Tribe casinos, President Barack Obama is doubling down on the deal.

Looking to reverse a Bush administration policy, the U.S. Interior Department is considering looser licensing rules that would permit Indian tribes to operate casinos on non-tribal lands far from their reservations.

Industry observers say this could trigger new Indian casino projects in several states, including Florida. The Miccosukee band, for example, could win a waiver to extend its gaming operations beyond Miami-Dade County. Dodgertown Hotel-Casino, anyone?

Goosing Indian gaming appears to be unnecessary, if not unwise. Tribal casinos already enjoy significant tax advantages vis-a-vis non-Indian operators. According to the Wall Street Journal, Moody’s Investor Service recently warned that under U.S. law, lenders cannot seize Indian casino assets in the event of default or bankruptcy."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Thumb down: Indian casinos on the Indian River? That's a bad bet (The Stuart News 9/25)