Montana
Tribes Form Gaming Association
As reported by the Missoulian:
"Tribal representatives from across Montana
met this week to mark the beginning of what
they see as a new era for tribal gambling in
the state.
"Leaders representing six of
the seven reservations in the state left a meeting
in Billings on Tuesday ready to announce creation
of the Montana Tribal Gaming Association, an
organization intent on strengthening Montana
tribes' gambling opportunities.
"…While hundreds of tribes across
the country have established lucrative casino
operations, Montana tribal casinos have provided
little profit or jobs to American Indian communities
when compared to tribes across the country,
including their immediate neighbors.
"…In 2004, North Dakota tribes'
gaming revenue topped $96.9 million, and Idaho
tribes netted $140 million, according to the
2005 Indian Gaming Industry Report by Alan Meister,
an economist with Analysis Group. Montana tribes'
revenue for the same time period, however, barely
hit $16.3 million.
"Montana tribal leaders point to the low
revenue numbers as proof of their inability
to negotiate meaningful gaming compacts with
the state. Current state gambling compacts typically
limit tribes to 150 machines per tribal casino.
Tribes also point to the disparity of machines
they operate compared to non-Indian casino owners…"
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