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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 9 april 2019

In many states, legalizing sports betting hinges on tribes

By STEVE KARNOWSKI and Association, told the com-
GEOFF MULVIHILL mittee.
Associated Press The tribes, which oper-
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Na- ate 21 casinos and have
tive American tribes have given millions in campaign
emerged as key players donations, are especially
in the legislative debates concerned about allowing
over whether states should sports betting on mobile
legalize sports betting, with devices, which they fear
some opposing the idea could invite wider inter-
because it could threaten net gambling that could
their casinos and others threaten their casinos.
supporting legalization only In Texas, the only sports bet-
if they retain a monopoly. ting bill is almost certain to
In many states, tribes are die. It was introduced by
fighting sports betting or a Democrat, the minority
taking a go-slow approach party, in a state where ca-
because they worry it might sino operators from neigh-
force them to reopen de- boring Oklahoma and Loui-
cades-old agreements siana have donated mil- In this March 19, 2019, photo video screens display the types of bets that can be placed at the
that give them exclusive lions to keep gambling out. Golden 1 Center's Skyloft Predictive Gaming Lounge, in Sacramento, Calif. In some states, includ-
rights to operate casinos Two Oklahoma tribes, the ing California, allowing sports betting would probably require a constitutional amendment.
and offer certain forms of Chickasaw and Choctaw Associated Press
gambling. nations, have given more
"The tribes have a major- than $5 million to Texas Two tribal casinos in New portion of western North team dedicated for that
league seat at the table," officeholders and candi- Mexico began running Carolina. purpose inside the Golden
said Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist dates since 2006. sportsbooks after the Su- "They've been incredibly 1 Center arena.
for gambling interests seek- Sports betting measures preme Court decision, good stewards of the rev- Arizona is the rare example
ing legalized sports betting introduced in Arizona and even though the tribes nev- enue, and it's transforming of a state where tribes are
across the country. Washington state are also er received explicit permis- that community," he said. the key players in the legal-
Six states have joined Ne- considered longshots, sion from the state. Like other powerful interest ization debate but are on
vada in allowing sports mostly because of tribal In North Carolina, a bill groups, tribes ensure they opposite sides.
gambling since a U.S. Su- ambivalence or opposition. pushed by the Eastern have access to lawmakers The Navajo Nation is push-
preme Court ruling last In some states where trib- Band of Cherokee Indians and governors through po- ing for a measure that
year opened the door to al gambling is prevalent, would allow the tribe to of- litical contributions. Tribal would give tribes the exclu-
its expansion. Legalization sports betting bills have fer betting on sports and governments have contrib- sive right to operate sports
is being considered in more not been introduced at horse races at its casino uted more than $114 million betting off their reserva-
than 20 others. all. That's the case in Okla- near Great Smoky Moun- to state-level candidates tions in exchange for shar-
In Minnesota, a bill seeking homa, as well as Califor- tains National Park, without and political committees ing winnings with the state.
to legalize sports betting nia and Florida, which are forcing it to make any sub- over the past decade, ac- Tribes could put betting ki-
cleared its first hurdle earlier home to politically influen- stantial concessions. cording to an Associated osks in non-tribal bars and
this year, passing a commit- tial tribes that have been Conservative religious Press analysis of data com- private clubs.
tee in the state Senate. But cool to the idea. groups have warned about piled by the National Insti- But other Arizona tribes op-
that's likely to be as far as But elsewhere, casino-op- the dangers of more gam- tute on Money in Politics. pose the legislation, saying
the measure goes, in large erating tribes are the ones bling, but the legislation In some states, including it could hurt existing casinos
part because the state's leading the legalization ef- has so far sailed through California, allowing sports on reservations.
politically potent tribes op- forts. committees in the state betting would probably Lawmakers in many states
pose it. The Mohegan and Mashan- Senate. The tribe is one of require a constitutional are not eager to push the
Gambling "is the only suc- tucket Pequot tribes have the state's top political con- amendment. That and trib- issue without support from
cessful economic develop- exclusive rights to casino tributors. al reluctance means the tribes, said Hilary Tompkins,
ment tool the tribes have gambling in Connecticut The bill's sponsor, Republi- NBA's Sacramento Kings a former solicitor with the
ever had," John McCarthy, and are working with the can Sen. Jim Davis, lauded will have to wait longer, Department of the Interior,
executive director of the governor's office to add the tribe for bringing jobs perhaps indefinitely, to al- which oversees the Bureau
Minnesota Indian Gaming sportsbooks. to an otherwise distressed low gambling in a suite the of Indian Affairs.q