Posted on 04/27/2005 4:57:09 PM PDT by Teflonic
WASHINGTON - John McCain, chairman of the Senate's Indian Affairs Committee, said Wednesday he will seek tougher regulations for the booming tribal gambling industry, which far outpaced Nevada's as it took in $18.5 billion last year.
McCain, R-Ariz., faced opposition from tribal leaders at a hearing where he called for changes including more money for oversight and new rules to keep tribes from passing off slot machines as less-regulated bingo devices.
But he said it was high time to review the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law regulating tribal casinos has not been amended since its passage in 1988 helped turn Indian gambling into a huge industry with more than 400 casinos in 28 states.
"I don't want this hearing to be viewed as some attack on Indian gaming," McCain said. "It's not. Indian gaming is here to stay. The question is, do we protect the patrons of Indian gaming to the fullest extent consistent with our responsibilities, and I think we have clearly identified some areas that need to be addressed."
The National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal agency that oversees the nation's 400-plus tribal casinos, had a 2004 budget of about $10.5 million and employs 78 people, according to testimony Wednesday from its chairman, Phil Hogen.
By comparison, Nevada's Gaming Control Board had a 2004 budget of $36.4 million and 439 employees to oversee about 360 casinos.
"I don't believe that the NIGC has enough funds. I don't believe it. Because I look at the comparable regulation of gaming in Nevada," McCain said. Major Nevada resorts took in $9.88 billion in gambling revenue in the 2004 fiscal year.
Tribal officials objected to changing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, arguing that in combination with state and federal oversight, the regulatory agencies that tribes themselves have in place offer more than sufficient oversight.
"We are a little bit frustrated that we continually hear how tribal gaming is insufficiently regulated," said Norman DesRosiers, chief administrator of the tribal gambling agency for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in San Diego County. "There are enforcement mechanisms in place, and I don't think more legislation is necessarily the answer."
But McCain said new laws or rules are needed to clarify the distinction between bingo machines - which don't require state approval as long as bingo is allowed in the state - and slot machines, which do require state approval. Technological advances have blurred the distinction between the machines, several witnesses said.
McCain also said stricter rules are needed for non-tribal companies that sign on with tribes to help them develop and manage casinos, thereby reaping huge profits from an industry Congress intended to help Indians.
At least he didn't call it "Native American Gaming."
He's a moron.
The free market is taking care of it.
If they tighten up their slots and bone folks on the edge in Blackjack, they will seek gaming entertainment elsewhere.
McCain is looking for some cash hand-outs form the Native community to make this go away. Each state has their own compact with Native gaming, and it has nothing to do with lazy Senators from Arizona.
Let me retract my statement, MaCain is publicly against gay marriage.
Then Sen. McCain added:
"And WE will not stop harassing & over regulating Indian Casino's until they are as Bloated, Corrupt, Inefficient, Wasteful, Inept & all-around Incompetent as our Federal Government".....
I always love those articles that say "More laws needed".
Everytime McLame opens his mouth he becomes more irrelevant
If you go to a surgeon with back pain he will recommend surgery. Go to an internist and he will prescribe pain pills. A chiropractor will swear he can snap crackle and pop you back into shape. Go to a politician and he will pass a law.
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