Oregon casino deal could cause land grab

December 12

Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon is coming close to allowing the first American Indian casino on non-tribal land there. This would clearly become a policy change that could very well spurn other tribes to chime-in with their own ideas of following suit.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Governor's workforce are discussing the tribe's ideas for a gambling facility that would be located in an industrial area in Cascade Locks.

If permitted the facility will become the closest Indian gambling facility to the city of Portland. Thus, producing major competitor for the Spirit Mountain Casino. Spirit Mountain is currently the states most successful gambling facility.

There are currently 9 tribes nationally recognized in the state Oregon. All operate facilityies under gaming deals, with the state regulating the various types of gambling allowed and where they may be built. Currently, Oregon restricts each tribe with the ability to run just one casino on tribal land.

Currently, the Warm Springs tribe runs a tiny casino on its reservation in central Oregon. This location is said to be very remote. For obvious reasons the tribe wants to build one closer to Portland.