Texas bill would allow tribes to open casinos on reservations

Monday, February 4, 2013  

A bill in the Texas Legislature would allow federally recognized tribes to operate casinos on their reservations.

The bill would require voters to authorize non-Indian casinos and slot machine facilities throughout the state. A new Texas Gaming Commission would be able to enter into Class III gaming compacts with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, the Tigua Tribe and the Kickapoo Tribe.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Tigua Tribe once operated casinos on their reservations. But the state went to court and got them shut down, citing provisions in federal law that subjected the tribes to the state's gambling ban.

The Kickapoo Tribe is not covered by the same law but is not able to offer Class III gaming on its reservation.

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