As a non-Indian, the issue of states demanding revenues from Indian gaming is very disturbing and unfair. Tribes are essentially in a blackmail situation in negotiations with states: ”Give or you don’t get.” It’s time the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 be revised to eliminate the compact clause. The intent of the legislation is to give tribes (and their members) the right to become self-sufficient. It does not indicate or imply that states are to be the beneficiaries of revenues from tribal gaming operations!
In the case of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, millions of dollars are annually pumped into the western region of the state which in turn provides huge amounts of sales tax dollars to the state. This is the benefit the state receives from tribal gaming. Additionally, hundreds of non-Indians are employed by the casino/hotel and the percentage of unemployed persons in this region has dropped drastically since the casino opened over 10 years ago.
There are enough federal regulations governing Indian gaming so why muddy the situation with states, which have no jurisdiction over tribal affairs, getting involved in what tribes do relative to gaming? States: back off and let tribes do what the federal legislation allows them to do. You will get money through tribal members paying the multitude of state taxes from which they are not exempt.
– David Redman
Retired tourism director,
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Sylva, N.C.