Gaming briefs for February 28, 2005

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 | 9:20 a.m.

Slots debated in briefs

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Authors of the state's slot-machine gambling law slipped it past an uninformed Legislature, opponents wrote in Supreme Court briefs filed Friday, while the legislation's defenders contended it was constitutional and subject to plenty of debate.

State Supreme Court justices will hear arguments March 9 in the lawsuit, which could have significant bearing on whether the newly legalized slot machines can deliver property tax relief in Pennsylvania in the next few years.

Five lawmakers, religious groups, good-government advocates, and gambling opponents sued in December. Gov. Ed Rendell, Attorney General Tom Corbett, the newly created Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and legislative leaders are defending the seven-month-old law.

Tribe faces many hurdles

JEMEZ, N.M. -- Jemez Pueblo wants to open a casino in southern New Mexico, but the tribe is finding out that off-reservation ventures are facing increased opposition.

The pueblo and Santa Fe art dealer Gerald Peters have an option to buy a privately owned parcel of land at a busy location next to Interstate 10 between Las Cruces and El Paso, Texas.

The pueblo is seeking to put 78 acres of the property into federal trust. Peters is an investor in the project.

In 2004, the pueblo submitted a trust application to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs regional office in Albuquerque. If approved, the land would become part of the Jemez reservation.

But the tribe could be looking at a long battle to get the initiative approved, according to gambling and tribal experts.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, is considering introducing an amendment to the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to ban or restrict off-reservation development projects. The measure would prohibit tribes from acquiring land in another state for gambling operations.

Taverns told to fold 'em

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Players might argue otherwise, but state regulators say there's enough luck to Texas hold 'em to make it illegal for bars to host the wildly popular poker game.

"Gambling activities in places with a liquor license are illegal," said Barbara Subastian, deputy director of enforcement for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

The commission in November ordered Art Dore Jr., owner of the Hooters restaurant in Bay City, to shut down a Texas hold 'em tournament that had drawn 25 to 40 people over several nights.

Police bust illegal game

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Officers from the Cheyenne Police Department cited seven people at a bowling alley for playing Texas hold 'em, a poker game, a news release said.

Officers went to Two Bar Bowling to investigate potential gambling offenses Friday. When the officers arrived, seven people were playing hold 'em for money.

The players were issued a summons and a $250 fine for gambling. The establishment's owner was also cited for giving the gamblers a place to play.

Fargo considers more sites

FARGO, N.D. -- A bar owner wants charitable organizations to have at least half as many gambling sites as their counterparts in neighboring Moorhead, Minn.

Brad Hemerick has asked city leaders to raise Fargo's limit on charitable gambling sites from two to three per organization. Hemerick says there are businesses looking for gambling organizations with none available.

The City Commission is set to debate the request today.