The Julyamsh powwow attracts thousands of people to Idaho every July but the popular event won't be held this year. Photo from Coeur d'Alene Tribe
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has canceled its popular Julyamsh powwow as part of a dispute over gaming machines at non-Indian racetracks. The tribe said it could no longer hold the event at the Greyhound Park and Event Center due to "illegal activity" taking place there. The facility offers historical horse racing machines that are being investigated by law enforcement authorities in the state. The tribe also pointed out that the track's general manager spoke disparagingly about Indian gaming. The manager accused tribal casinos of being "unregulated" even though they are jointly regulated by the state and the tribes under the Class III gaming compact. "The decision was made to move Julyamsh away from Greyhound Park because the tribe cannot condone the illegal activity taking place there, nor can the tribe condone the hostile and belligerent statements made recently by the Greyhound Park manager about the tribe and Indian gaming," Helo Hancock, the tribe's legislative director, told The Coeur d'Alene Press.
A row of historical horse racing machines at Greyhound Park and Event Center in Idaho. Photo from Facebook
Lawmakers authorized bets on historical horse races in 2013. But some are now questioning whether they were duped because the devices that have been installed at Greyhound Park and other non-Indian tracks appear to play like slot machines. The top state regulator of the machines was in fact a paid consultant for a company that promotes instant racing in neighboring Wyoming. Frank Lamb, who was planning to leave later this year, retired early on Friday as director of the Idaho Racing Commission amid concern about his dual roles. A bill to repeal the 2013 law is moving through the Idaho Legislature. The Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on February 9. Get the Story:
Ka-Pow! Julyamsh 2015 canceled (The Idaho Statesman 1/31)
Julyamsh event canceled (The Spokesman Review 1/31)
Idaho tribes' gambling fight draws opposition (The Idaho Falls Post Register 1/31)
Lamb retires (The Coeur d'Alene Press 1/31)
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