Abstract
Tribal gaming is a hot topic in the gambling industry and will be featured in this and upcoming issues.
From the sports betting law passed in Maine to the dueling California ballot initiatives pitting tribes against commercial operators to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer saying no to a tribal casino to the ongoing legal battle over sports betting in Florida.
Tribal gaming is also a hot topic in legal circles.
From gun rights to abortion, the Supreme Court has several significant cases on its docket. The court has also been delving into tribal matters, with two recent decisions, McGirt vs. Oklahoma and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas.
At the Indian Gaming Association conference in April, tribal issues included a session titled Is the IGRA obsolete in the 21st Century? One panelist, former National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri, stated, “the success of tribal gaming is despite, not because of IGRA.”
Further, the Department of Interior is looking at Proposed Revisions to 25 C.F.R. Part 293 that deals with tribal compacts. A look at the proposed changes will be included in the September issue, as will another interesting tribal topic, taxes on gaming equipment owned by non-Indians but leased and used on tribal land.
Bottom line: Tribal gaming issues long dismissed and kicked down the road have bubbled to the surface and must now be dealt with. Stay tuned.