Supreme Court considers Indian gambling case

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 11:17 a.m.

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments on whether state contracts to allow gambling on lands owned by four Michigan Indian tribes were properly approved.

The case could affect the future of at least two casinos already operating and three more that are pending. It also could have implications for all 17 Indian casinos in the state.

Casino opponents want to reverse an appeals court ruling that said, in part, that the state of Michigan has no authority to regulate conduct on Indian tribal land. The appeals court decision reversed an Ingham County Circuit Court ruling that the compacts between Michigan and the four Indian tribes were unconstitutional because of the way the state legislature approved them.

"This case in interesting," Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura Corrigan said Thursday as the testimony concluded. The court is expected to issue its decision by late July.

The key issue may be what role states may play, if any, regulating gambling on Indian lands. Federal law allows Indian gaming, but says states may enter into gaming compacts with tribes.

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