Babbitt Prepares Regulations To Ease Tribal Casino Approval New Rules Would Allow Gambling Over Objection Of State Officials

Sun., Dec. 7, 1997

Associated Press

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is preparing regulations that would let him approve Indian casinos over the objection of governors and other elected officials who don’t want tribal gaming in their states.

The plan, not yet published as a formal proposal, has infuriated governors and lawmakers and is certain to provoke critics who have accused Babbitt of playing campaign politics with Indian casinos in the Midwest.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said that if Babbitt succeeds, he could open the floodgates for tribal casinos in California, which could pose a significant threat to the gaming industry in Las Vegas.

Bryan called Babbitt on Thursday to protest the secretary’s efforts.

Gov. Bob Miller said Babbitt’s proposal would be disastrous for Nevada. “The fact that California provides a majority of the Nevada market speaks for itself,” he said.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said through a spokeswoman that he is concerned about any effort to force states to defy their own laws, but he wants a chance to study the proposed rules in detail.

Babbitt is under investigation by Justice Department prosecutors in connection with allegations that he denied an Indian casino license to a group of Wisconsin tribes after rival tribes donated almost $500,000 to the Democratic party.

Three Chippewa tribes sought permission to build a casino in Hudson, Wis., in 1995, a plan that was opposed by neighboring tribes that were afraid they would lose business at their own casinos.

An Interior Department official initially approved the application, but Babbitt overturned the decision, even after the Chippewas hired his former law partner, Arizona attorney Paul Eckstein, to lobby on their behalf.

Testifying earlier this year before the Senate Government Affairs Committee, Babbitt vehemently denied that campaign contributions influenced his decision, but he acknowledged that three of his aides were contacted in the days before he made his ruling by the office of White House official Harold Ickes, a key fund-raiser for President Clinton in 1996.

Attorney General Janet Reno last month extended to 90 days the probe of Babbitt’s involvement with the casino license.

Interior Department spokeswoman Stephanie Hanna said with the proposed rule changes, Babbitt is trying to provide an option to tribes frustrated by states that refuse to negotiate gaming compacts.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that tribes cannot sue states to force them to negotiate. Tribes immediately turned to Babbitt for help, arguing he has the authority to approve gaming operations if states won’t.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.