Tribe opposes new agreement

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

PHOENIX -- A western Arizona Indian tribe doesn't want to operate its casino under the provisions of a new agreement that requires tribes to share some of their gambling revenue with the state, the tribe's attorney says.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes would prefer to keep running its BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker under its current agreement, which expires in August 2004, said Michael Mandell, a Phoenix lawyer for the tribe. That agreement doesn't call for revenue sharing.

Christa Severns, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Gaming, said the state would like all tribes to operate under the provisions of Proposition 202, a gambling measure approved by voters in November.

Proposition 202 allows tribes to offer Las Vegas-style blackjack and add more slot machines. But it also calls for sharing a portion of gambling revenues with the state, which is expected to garner Arizona an estimated $89 million to $102 million per year.

Most of Arizona's gambling tribes have already opted for new agreements under Proposition 202, which was supported by 17 tribes.

But Mandell said the Colorado River tribe doesn't benefit from the additional games.

The tribe unsuccessfully sought passage of Proposition 200 last fall, which called for sharing a portion of profits, not revenue. It also would have loosened regulation.

The tribe was not a party to talks leading up to Proposition 202 and, therefore, would be asked to agree to something it wasn't involved in, Mandell said.

The tribe has requested a gambling agreement under 202, but did so as a technicality to protect its casino rights.

The state Department of Gaming wants to know officially where the tribe stands on the gambling agreement.

"We're looking forward to hearing from the council as to how they want to proceed," said Severns, adding that the state has sent the tribe a letter requesting clarification. "We're also researching whether it's possible to extend the first compact after the tribe already requested another one" under 202.