Bill bars Tohono O'odham Nation from gaming on acquired land

Thursday, September 15, 2011  

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) is introducing a bill today to block the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona.

The bill amends the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act of 1986. It bars the tribe from engaging on gaming on land acquired under the law.

The tribe would otherwise be permitted to open a casino on land acquired in connection with a land claim settlement. But Franks claims the tribe has broken a promise to stay on the reservation.

Franks will discuss the bill at a press conference in Glendale tomorrow. Officials there oppose the tribe's plan for the West Valley Resort.

The tribe acquired 135 acres for the casino under the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act. Since Indian Gaming Regulatory Act became law in 1988 only two tribes have opened casinos in connection with a land claim settlement.

Get the Story:
Franks bill would block O'odham's new casino (Capitol Media Times 9/15)
Franks pushes anti-casino measure (The Glendale News-Star 9/14)

Related Stories:
Rep. Franks to introduce bill to outlaw Tohono O'odham casino (9/14)
Lawmaker drafts bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino (9/13)
NIGC disapproves Tohono O'odham Nation casino ordinance (8/31)
Mayor says Tohono O'odham Nation doesn't need to run casino (8/18)
Panel discusses Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (8/11)
Panel to discuss Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (8/8)
Ned Norris: Tohono O'odham Nation confirms right to build casino (7/19)