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House Republicans try to
prevent massive expansion of gambling, ask U.S. Department of Interior
for help
Deputy
Republican Leader: “We need to slow this process
down so we can fully weigh the social implications”
House Republicans are
requesting help to prevent a massive expansion of gambling in the state
triggered by a new tribal compact signed by the governor.
“The U.S. Department of Interior is our last chance to prevent the
largest expansion of gambling in state history. The process has been
moving like a freight train and we want to slow it down so we can fully
weigh the social implications of the governor’s decision,” said Deputy Republican Leader Doug Ericksen, who has sent a letter to the
Interior secretary. “We don’t think people fully understand what is
coming down the track, and when they do it is going to be a big surprise
unfortunately.”
Three statewide initiatives involving the expansion of gambling have
failed since 1995.
“When the governor signed and the Gambling Commission approved the
Spokane Tribe Gaming Compact, it allowed other tribes to add identical
provisions to their compacts,” said Ericksen, R-Ferndale. “This
is because each tribal compact with the state includes a Most Favored
Nations clause which provides that the compact should be automatically
amended to incorporate any expanded gaming powers granted to any other
tribe.”
The Spokane Tribe Gaming Compact would allow for the installation of up
to 4,700 cash-operated slot machines – the first to be legalized in the
state. It would also be the first to allow no-limit betting on table
games. The Spokane Tribe of Indians would also:
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Receive 900 machines (other tribes only begin with 675);
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Operate up to 75 gaming tables at one facility and up to 50 tables at
other authorized facilities (currently, tribes are limited to 50
tables);
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Offer unlimited wagering at five gaming tables (other tribes are
currently limited to $500 bets); and
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Offer wagers of up to $20 on 15 percent of the machines at each facility
(currently, other tribes may offer up to $5 wagers).
Some House Republicans are also worried the state’s bargaining position
has been compromised given how much some key decision-makers have
received in campaign contributions from the tribes.
House Bill 1257 would address this concern by requiring legislative
approval of tribal compacts. The measure died without a hearing in the
Democrat-controlled House.
“The Legislature represents the views of people around the state. The
body deserves to be the voice of its constituencies – especially on
matters as serious as the expansion of gambling,” said Ericksen.
“Giving the governor this much closed-door authority deprives citizens
of a voice. Tribal gambling compacts should be considered by the
Legislature so they can be properly vetted and carefully considered by
147 elected officials.”
For more information on Ericksen visit:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Ericksen/
Attached is a letter from Ericksen to the U.S. Department of Interior.
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