Legislation

MPR: Minnesota tribes oppose bill to allow non-Indian gaming

Friday, May 6, 2011

"With the state facing a projected $5 billion budget deficit, a lot of people thought passing bills to expand gambling would be a slam dunk at the Capitol.

But a proposal to allow slot machines at the state's two existing horse racing tracks -- the so-called racino bill -- appeared to be in trouble Thursday after a long-awaited committee hearing. There was no vote, and Republican supporters of the measure say they're not sure they can advance it in either the House or the Senate.

But racino opponents, including the Indian tribes that currently operate the only casinos in Minnesota, are also concerned about jobs. Karen Diver, chairwoman and CEO of the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa, said her tribe doesn't want to lose any of the 2,200 jobs it currently provides in northeastern Minnesota.

"There is this perception that is being pushed that gaming is unlimited wealth and that pie will continue to grow," said Diver. "We know just from within our own industry that this market is saturated, and that the pie will not get bigger. It will just get cut into smaller pieces." "

Get the Story:
Racino bill gets first look, has uncertain future (Minnesota Public Radio 5/5)