Tribal sports betting cleared

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 10:52 a.m.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- A federal judge ordered the state Wednesday to negotiate a gambling compact with the Northern Arapaho Tribe within 60 days for sports and pari-mutuel betting only.

Casino-style gambling, lotteries and slot machines are illegal in Wyoming and cannot be negotiated, U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson ruled.

Calcutta, a form of sports betting, and pari-mutuel betting are allowed in limited forms, so the full gamut of those two games can be negotiated, Johnson ruled.

Gov. Jim Geringer said he is "very pleased" by the ruling. The state will contact the tribe soon to negotiate a compact if the tribe wants calcutta and pari-mutuel betting, he said.

"With this clear ruling, the majority of Wyoming citizens are affirmed in their opposition to gambling machines, casino-type gambling or lotteries on the Wind River Indian Reservation, because state law forbids those types of gambling," he said.

The tribe wanted casino-style gambling on the reservation.

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