Nez Perce Plan Bingo, Betting

Nez Perce tribal leaders said Tuesday they plan to build a bingo center a few miles south of Lewiston, and may also offer betting on simulcasts of races.

The announcement came after the tribe and Gov. Phil Batt signed a gaming compact that took years to negotiate. The compact allows the tribe to conduct “Class 3” gaming activities that are legal elsewhere in the state: lotteries, and parimutuel betting on horse, dog or mule racing.

Bingo is a “Class 2” game that the tribe could have offered even without the compact. But the betting on simulcasts of races wasn’t possible without the compact.

Tribal official Mike Penney said Tuesday that tourist activities, including a restaurant, are envisioned as part of the project.

The Nez Perce are planning the center for tribal land just a few miles from Lewiston, at the far end of their 750,000-acre reservation.

Samuel N. Penney, chairman of the tribal executive committee, said it would likely take nine to 12 months for the tribe to work out management contracts for the center.

, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition.