Aug
23
2010
In the latest issue of the Gaming Law Review&Economics, we have a short article on the emerging federal policy on Indian gaming and land-into-trust issues. Titled, "The Obama Administration's 'Path Forward on Indian Gaming Policy' and What it Signals for 'Off-Reservation' Gaming," our article summarizes Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's June 2010 memo outlining the Department's approach to Indian gaming. We also offer our thoughts on what the Salazar memo signals for the future in these five areas: policymaking, consideration of off-reservation applications, revisiting the "commutable distance" test, IGRA's public policy goals, and government-to-government relations.Off-Reservation Gaming
Proposed San Francisco Casino Tests Federal, State Law
Jul
29
2010
Today's student guest blog post is written by third-year law student Christopher Westby. Here's his take on a proposal for gaming on newly acquired lands by a recently recognized tribe:Proposed San Francisco Casino Tests Federal, State Law
The 112 member Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians has no reservation;
during the era of termination policy the federal government revoked
recognition of the tribe and transferred its lands to private owners.
The tribe regained federal recognition in 1991. Many of its members
currently still live near the former reservation in Ukiah, California.
The tribe proposes building a casino seventy-miles away from Ukiah in
Richmond, which sits on the San Francisco Bay. The Bureau of Indian
More on Mashpee Wampanoag in Massachusetts
Jul
27
2010
Today's student guest blog post is by Andrew Weiss, a second-year law student in Kathryn's Indian Gaming Law course. Andrew's post discusses another twist in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's pursuit of a casino.The Mashpee Wampanoag Indians plan to build a casino in Fall River, MA, which is about an hour away from Boston and 20 minutes away from Providence, RI (a highly lucrative location). This new project was announced around May of this year after negotiations with the city of Middleborough fell through. The new casino in Fall River will include three hotels, a gambling area, shopping mall, and indoor waterpark.
Update From NY: Shinnecock Tribal Recognition
Jul
21
2010
Today's student-written guest blog post is by third-year law student Meg Morley. Meg's research paper for Kathryn's Indian Gaming Law course is on the Shinnecock Indian Tribe and their quest for federal recognition and desire to open a casino. As Meg has chosen a topic that is developing literally as she conducts her research (one of the challenges of working in the field of tribal gaming!), she is tracking news accounts daily. Here's her latest update:An appeal has been filed by the "Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs". This filing automatically stays the Federal Recognition process for the Shinnecocks, a process that was to be finalized on July 19.
Now another group has come forth with an appeal, the Montaukett Tribe.
Interior Department Details Approach to Indian Gaming
Jun
29
2010
Yesterday, the Department of Interior released Secretary Salazar's memo detailing the Department's approach to Indian gaming generally, and to gaming on newly acquired lands specifically. Here's our take on the Secretary's memo. First, a lot of folks, both inside and outside Indian Country, are relieved to finally see some action on Indian gaming issues from the Obama administration. It's been 18 months of almost total silence on Indian gaming, one of the most important issues for many tribes across the U.S.Kathryn Participates in Roundtable for GLRE
Jun
23
2010
Kathryn participated in a "roundtable" discussion of hot topics in tribal gaming for a future issue of the Gaming Law Review&Economics. Other roundtable panelists were attorneys Heidi Staudenmaier, Mike McBride, and Gabe Galanda. Steve Zweig, the new managing editor for GLRE, moderated the roundtable. Topics included off-reservation gaming, land acquisition, revenue sharing, and the NIGC. Look for a transcript of the roundtable discussion in the next issue of the GLRE. Steve Presents at Seattle University Symposium on Land Acquisitions
Jun
23
2010
Steve presented at Perspectives on Tribal Land Acquisition in 2010: A Call to Action, a symposium sponsored by the Center for Indian Law and Policy at Seattle University School of Law.