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Show A20 NATION Sunday, May 23, 1999 The Salt Lake Tribune Indian Casinos Wary of Gaming Study HELD cara They say panel is stacked with officials who want to squash competition Jacob ( oin, executive director of the tional Indian Gaming Associatio aid the commission. BY FREDREKA SCHOUTEN GANNETT NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON — Indian es tha at have cashed in ont billic ne: year tribal gambling busines: new criticism from a federal ranging didn't at invest enough time Of course I'mnot going to trust youto giveyou my financial nformation. meeting next month, the National Gambling Impact Study information, if I don’t know you Coin said Commission will dee harshly to rebuketriba week. the commission considered Meeting in Washington last —but did not vote on —a mea: pushedby Jamesto rebuketribes and the Indian gaming commis- for failing to provideinforma on how spend much they make and Indian gambling which visited just two reserva tions during its two-yearstudy — tribes gambling commission over their refusal to share finan- industry. In 1997 alone, Ameri cans g 0.5 billion at non sion for their “unwillingness” to operations — E ines in Las Vegasto video poker games co nience stores in South Carolina. In calling for the investigation. tribal officials also complained about an anti-Indian bias on the commission. For instance, they objected to a commission essay that describedtribes as ‘defeated nations So far. though. aninvestigation appears unlikely We wouldn't dream ofstarting While the commission could slam tribes for lack of disclosure the nine-member panel approved cooperate. She also recommend ed that the federal government up something like that on our own said GAO official John Bal report annually on tribes’ earn ings and how much federal aid dwin. W they receive several recommendations last nos’ { acknowledged the casi role in lifting some tribes out of poverty. But the tribes nances closely wary — in part because they fear congressional proposals of any criticism that could give their opponents in Congress and fo take money from casino-rich fight Indian gambling business have mounted an offensive, say ing the commission has demon strated an anti-Indian bias and er tribes. statehouses new ammunition to tribes and redistribute it to poor Forinstance, 4 measure intro duced last year by Sen. SladeGor ton. R-Wash.. would have strippedhalf the federal funding headedto the richest 10 percent of tribes given the savings — about $12 million —to the poor- will paint an incomplete picture of tribal casinos The commission. which does not have enforcement powers, is nearing the endof a two-year, $5 million study of gambling’s effect on society and will issue a report ss, the White House and government officials June The National Indian Gaming man, said the commission has blatantly ignored rules and al lowed commissioners to makeignorant and inflammatory re marks about American Indians andtribal governments. Commission Chairwoman Kay Coles James dismisses the criti cism, but said “I understand, based on the history they've had in dealing with state and federal and local governments, why the And he said tribes were encour Sat Laxe.City (801) 466-2400 Comp USA Marketplace, I-15 & Hartwell Ave. agedby some of the commission's positive recommendations But, Coin added, “we don't feel like we are completely out ofthe woods on any level Only one Native American — Robert Loescher, Alaska busi- Craacukota The Coolest Tribal leaders have been skep- tical the commission sinceits inception in 1996. Rick Hill, the group's chair- nessman sits on the panel. By Juniors a nd Kids contrast. three membershave ties to the commercial casinoindustry against whichtribes compete — William Bible, Nevada's former top gambling regulator: J. rence Lanni, chairman of MGM Grand Inc; and John Wilhelm president of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Inter skepticism is there JNIOFS: national. which represents 75,000 casino employees The commissioners have tus: sled with tribes and the federal agency that regulates them for several months The National From the very beginning, we knew we were going to be the odd an out. said W. Ron Allen. sident of Commission. the M2aes the National Con- 19” American Indians and of Washi town S’Klallam federal law. And many of the tribes the com mission has approached on its ownhave declir espond requests for financial informa information n’s James. tribe Who's the new threat to gam ing in this « y. Allen said It’s Indi inos Tribes are among the newest ers in ¢ gambling. In the that keeps that information confiden tial the WHEN. YOU PURCHASE YOUR GOWN. THE SAME DAY, DURING THE$99 SALE several noncontroversial recommendations that acknowledged the economic benefits of tribal ca sinos, whileurging tribes to diver sify their economies saying 5 (Oye OFF Niele] aa aNe) a ae Coin acknowledged an investi gation is unlikely in the monthbe fore the panel finishes its report The commission will revisit the issue next month in San Francisco Association, a trade group that proprietary REDUCED °50 0300 ray — its last meeting beforeits report to Congress Commissioners have agreed on represents gambling tribes. re tion. THOUSANDS. OF DESIGNER. GOWNS Rae) est 20 percent cently called on Congress and its General Accounting Office watch: dog agency to launch an investiga tion of the commission's work with oversig has declined 1 dits. citing “It would have to be a re quest from a member of Con gress. 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