Congressman Dent Introduces Legislation To Curb Explosion Of Off-Reservation Tribal Gambling
Press Release
Congressman Dent Introduces Legislation To Curb Explosion Of Off-Reservation Tribal Gambling
U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) sought to amend the FY2008 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill to prohibit funds from being used to process any new off-reservation casino applications under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The amendment failed to pass the majority of the House, but Congressman Dent will continue to push this reform through legislation he has offered.
"Twenty years ago, there were no tribal casinos in this country," Congressman Dent said. "Indian gambling is now a $19 billion a year business and a powerful lobby. As casino profits have increased, so has the motive to use the IGRA as a vehicle NOT for promoting Indian culture, but instead as a tool to spread casino gambling well beyond the original intent of the law."
Congressman Dent has previously offered legislation identical to the amendment, based on an experience in the 15th District. The Delaware Nation, which is actually based in Oklahoma, filed suit in federal court to establish title to a 315 acre tract of land in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, so that it could build a gambling facility. Its claim was based in part on a conveyance that ostensibly occurred in 1737, well before the establishment of our country. More than 25 families live on this property, and it is also home to the Crayola Company.
"Though the suit was ultimately resolved in favor of the homeowners, and the plaintiffs lost in every courtroom, the deep-pocketed interests behind this lawsuit were able fund this litigation all the way to the United States Supreme Court, causing no small amount of apprehension among the innocent home and business owners here," Congressman Dent said. "We should not allow this type of situation to re-occur."
Congressman Dent's legislation does not affect the right of existing on- or off-reservation tribal gambling facilities to continue operations.
"No one begrudges the tribes the right to operate their casinos on tribal lands, but the idea of placing these gambling establishments hundreds of miles from tribal lands in places with no previous tribal government presence goes far beyond the intent of the IGRA," Congressman Dent said. "I just think that it appropriate to call a time out' here and undertake a thorough review of IGRA before we allow this unbridled expansion of off-reservation gambling to continue."
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