Tribal casino measure advances in Arizona

Scott Thomsen

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

PHOENIX -- Supporters of a plan to renew Indian casino operations for more than two decades fought off hostile amendments in the House on Monday and prepared the bill for a deciding vote.

Sitting as a Committee of the Whole House, representatives rejected amendments that sought to shorten the length of the proposed deal, require full disclosure of casino finances and water down a "poison pill" provision that protects tribes' exclusive rights to casino gambling. Members then endorsed the bill (SB1001) on a 30-10 vote.

While 20 members were absent from the floor, the total was 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority the tribes want from both chambers to protect the bill from a referendum election. The House is scheduled to vote on formal approval today.

"It's going to be a long night getting the 40 votes," said Rep. Steve May, R-Paradise Valley.

Under the plan, which was negotiated by Gov. Jane Hull and 17 tribes, Las Vegas-style blackjack would be allowed and more slot machines would be put into play. The state would get regulatory oversight and up to 8 percent of the gross gambling take.

One amendment that was added by the House would require the tribes to disclose their profits to the public, limit the agreements -- or compacts -- to 23 years and provide an extra 1,000 slot machines to the Navajo Nation.

Critics said the plan is too long, provides too little money for the state and does not give the public enough information about the scope of tribal gambling.

"There's no way anybody can determine whether these deals are fair or not," Rep. Steve Tully, R-Phoenix, said. "We've never been given the compacts. The compacts are hidden behind door number two. Don't we deserve to get the information about the size and scope of gaming to make that decision?"

"The state is becoming a gaming entity," he said. "We might as well just open a state casino."

Supporters note that the plan limits casino gambling to Indian reservations, allows state oversight and prevents the tribes from operating look-alike slot machines that are built to avoid federal restrictions.

"This proposal contains gaming to the reservations and limits its expansion," May said.

The tribes are already collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would seek voters' approval for what is essentially the deal they negotiated with Hull. If the Legislature does not approve a plan the tribes can agree to, the tribes say they will proceed to the ballot box.

Voters could be asked to consider several options.

Another initiative drive is under way by the Colorado River Indian Tribe, which would allow a wider range of table games such as craps and roulette while only sharing 3 percent of the profits.

Additionally, Arizona's horse and dog racetracks are collecting signatures for an initiative that would allow them to operate slot machines and require Indian casinos to share a flat 8 percent of their gross gambling revenue.