"A change in the way the federal government considers applications for Indian gaming casinos could pave the way to move more of them off of traditional reservations.

The Obama administration said Tuesday it was lifting a rule limiting casinos to within commuting distance of existing reservations.

The federal government enacted a rule in 2008 requiring new casino developments to be within commuting distance of an Indian reservation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs said it will now consider expansion applications on a case-by-case basis.

In Minnesota, though, tribes have formally opposed off reservation expansion, even by their own members. Minnesota Indian Gaming Association executive director John McCarthy said his organization worries it would set a bad precedent. "

Get the Story:
New federal rules could open doors to more Minn. casinos (Minnesota Public Radio 6/15)

Bush Administration Off-Reservation Gaming Policy:
Guidance on taking off-reservation land into trust for gaming purposes (January 3, 2008)

Related Stories:
Tribes hopeful with reversal on off-reservation gaming policy (6/15)
Echo Hawk pulls controversial off-reservation gaming memo (6/14)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
BIA starts new year with off-reservation gaming policy (1/7)
Rejected tribes want casinos too far from reservations (1/7)