Some opposition emerges over gambling compact

Friday, Dec. 8, 2000 | 9:06 a.m.

Gov. Jim Hunt and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians signed amendments last month to the original 1994 agreement that allowed the tribe to open a video-gambling casino. Federal law requires Indian tribes to negotiate gambling compacts with state governors.

Harrah's now runs a 60,000-square-foot casino on the Cherokee reservation that employs 1,500 workers and provides money to every tribal member. The casino drew 3.2 million visitors last year, making it the most visited private tourist spot in North Carolina.

Changes to the original agreement include creation of a foundation to promote Cherokee heritage and culture and economic development projects unrelated to gambling. The foundation, which would include a board of Cherokees and non-Cherokees, must receive at least $5 million in gambling receipts.

The amendments also extend the compact 30 years, allow the tribe to double the size of its gambling space - potentially doubling the casino's workforce - and raise the limit on cash payouts from the machines.

But the foundation hinders the tribe's ability to conduct its business and use its earnings from the casino, tribal activist Missy Crowe said Thursday. She called on the Tribal Council to halt the process of federal approval for the new amendments.

"We've got to take care of our people first," Crowe said. "That's our money, not anyone else's. We don't owe anybody nothing. This amendment to our compact is wrong for our people."

She also criticized the council for not formally approving the amendments before Principal Chief Leon Jones signed them.

"You go out and do these things without the support of the people," Crowe said to Jones at a council meeting.

A 1996 resolution gave the principal chief the authority to negotiate compact amendments, council members said. They said they had tacitly given their approval to continue those talks.

Jones said the 1994 compact had proven fruitful for the Eastern Band's 12,500 members.

"I signed them for your grandchildren, my grandchildren and every grandchild of this tribe," Jones said.

The revised agreement also raises the gambling age at the casino from 18 to 21, requires criminal background checks on potential employees and its child-care center and requires the tribe to refer 7,500 casino visitors per year to hotels not owned by the tribe.

Council member Bob Blankenship said Hunt and North Carolina had not required the tribe to pay taxes or other fees on their gambling receipts as required by other states with Indian casinos. Hunt also is weathering criticism from those who oppose all gambling, Blankenship said.

But Tribal Council Member Teresa McCoy argued that the proposed foundation and hotel referrals are not related to gambling and should have been outside negotiations.

"That's a sovereignty issue," she said.