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FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2002

The Hill, a Congressional media source, published a special section on the gaming industry this week.

The section featured two editorials on the $10 billion Indian casino industry. In one, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), said gaming was a successful economic development stimulus for tribes.

"It is true that Indian gaming is not a panacea for all tribal economic and social woes but it is also clear that Indian gaming is a well-run industry that provides badly needed jobs to both tribal and non-tribal members, provides funding for necessary government services offered by tribes to their members, and has brought material success far beyond other federal efforts," Campbell wrote.

Another editorial was written by Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.), which focused on federal recognition at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He said the process needs to be taken away from "corrupt" officials.

"If the BIA is not fixed, we are going to see more courts weighing in on recognition determinations," Shays wrote. "Perhaps even more alarming, we will continue to see large political contributions by tribes, and the wealthy casino developers who back them, to both political parties in an attempt to influence a corrupt process."

Get the Story:
Ben Nighthorse Campbell: Indian gaming is key to economic development (The Hill 7/10)
Chris Shays: Standardize the Indian tribe recognition process (The Hill 7/10)

Relevant Links:
Gaming, The Hill - http://www.thehill.com/071002/special_section.shtm