Senator outlines bill that would limit Indian casinos

John McCarthy

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 | 9:42 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A bill in the U.S. Senate would restrict the development of casinos in states like Ohio and take one tool away from those trying to bring about a form of gambling that would do great harm to the state, Sen. George Voinovich said.

Voinovich and Sen. Mike DeWine were joined Tuesday at a news conference by Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro and state Auditor Betty Montgomery, all Republicans, to oppose attempts to bring tribal casinos to the state.

Indian tribes, particularly the Eastern Shawnee, have been trying for the past several years to build casinos on what they say is their ancestral land near several Ohio communities. They have been part of a group of developers, casino owners, lobbyists and lawmakers who have been meeting this summer to map strategy.

While Voinovich is gearing up for a bigger fight against a possible statewide ballot issue next year, the tribal casinos can be stopped now under a bill he co-sponsored.

"It's very difficult for a tribe like those who want to come to Ohio," Voinovich said. "What we're doing is adding a couple more nails to the coffin."

The Legislature and Gov. Bob Taft would have to amend the law to let the tribes in. Taft is opposed to any expansion of gambling.

The bill sponsored by Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, would restrict access to Indian lands to build casinos to states in which the tribe has a historical or geographic connection. It also would require the state's Legislature and governor to approve the casino and mandate social and economic and environmental studies.

DeWine said Ohio communities are setting aside land they could develop in the hope that Indian casinos are on the way. That's a mistake, he said.

"This is not the way Ohio should go. This is not where Ohio's future is," he said.

Terry Casey, a spokesman for the Eastern Shawnee, said Vitter's bill isn't needed because safeguards already exist in federal law.

"The idea that any and all of the 562 federally recognized tribes can just go any place in the country reservation shopping is ridiculous because the law already says there are very strict limits. Our tribe can't pick anywhere they want. They can only go where they have legitimate histories, ... which is true in Ohio," Casey said.

Ohio voters in 1990 and 1996 turned back ballot issues that would have allowed casinos in Ohio cities and on riverboats. Voinovich said opponents are getting ready for another ballot fight next year.

"I want them (casino backers) to know I will fight this ... and if they put any money into this, they are wasting it," Voinovich said.