Page 2 May 1, 1996 - SMOKE SIGNALS
Chairman's Report: Controversy
surrounds Indian gaming in Oregon
By Mark Mercier
As you know, the Spirit Mountain Casino
is operating. In October of 1995, a Portland
area newspaper published an extensive
article on Indian gaming in Oregon, with
some people voicing concern that gaming is
proliferating the state of Oregon.
The Governor has stated concern about the
State's increasing dependency on lottery
dollars which are used to fund education.
Shortly thereafter, the Governor's office
established a task force to study the issue of
gaming. The task force is chaired by Oregon
Attorney General Ted Kulongoski. The
remainder of the group is made up of state
legislators, a representative of the Ecumeni
cal Ministries of Oregon, state Lottery
officials, law enforcement officials, and
people from other professions.
The Governor has requested the task force
solicit comments from the general public and
other interested parties, then present a formal
list of recommended actions to his office by
the first of July based on the results of the task
force's study.
On April 23, the task force met at the
Tribe's Spirit Mountain Casino. Tribal
representatives gave a presentation regard
ing the Tribe's regulatory structure to ensure
honesty and integrity of the gaming
operation. Also at this meeting were
representatives from the Video Lottery
Retailers Association, restaurant owners, and
representatives from boys and girls clubs
who rely on bingo to fund their activities.
Many of these folks urged the task force to
curb Indian gaming. At the wrap-up of this
meeting, the Chairman stated: "Five years
from now, this will be totally out of control
i ...
fry - '
and the public will take a very harsh
approach to gaming."
The point is this: the State of Oregon may
do something to either do away with gaming,
or impose tougher regulations on it. Back in
October, a Congressman made an attempt to
tax proceeds from Indian gaming, but this
failed after Tribal representatives (including
ones from Grand Ronde) met with
Congressional members.
However, some Congress people we
spoke with did say that in 1997, another
effort to tax Indian gaming will ensue. Also,
an article in a recent Reader 's Digest told of
suicides resulting from gambling addiction,
from Indian casinos in Minnesota
There are many folks who will tinker with
gaming one way or another. Nationwide,
there are grass roots efforts to thwart gaming.
Tribes throughout the nation are now using
gaming monies to establish other businesses
and forms of economic development. May
not be a bad idea.
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Gaming Task Force meets at Casino
The Governor's Task Force on Gaming held its monthly meeting at Spirit Mountain
Casino on April 23. Vice-Chair Kathryn Harrison shared the Tribe's history, and the
ramifications of termination with the sixteen members of the task force. Chairman Mark
Mercier spoke about how the Tribe uses the Casino income to benefit the entire Grand
Ronde community and other areas.
Chaired by Oregon Attorney General Ted Kulongoski, the task force was established
to discuss and debate some of the current gaming issues in Oregon, and the effect Indian
gaming has on the state lottery. Governor Kitzhaber will hear opinions from task force
members in the near future. Bruce Thomas, President of Spirit Mountain Casino, is also
a member of the task force.
The meeting at the Casino was an open forum for interested Oregonians wishing to
express an opinion regarding gaming. Many tavern owners said that Indian casinos are
cutting into their video lottery profits, while others involved in Oregon's tourism indus
try said that the casinos are attracting more visitors to Oregon.
There was also some concern about how the decline in lottery dollars will affect the
state's budget, especially since those dollars are being used for economic development
and education.
Task force members also toured the Casino and took particular interest in surveillance
and security measures.
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EDITORIAL POLICY: Smoke Signals is a publication of the Con
federated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have
established an Editorial Policy to encourage input from readers about
stories printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke
Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to
refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain
libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
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