County Offers Support For Tribal Gaming

Nez Perce County commissioners are lending support to the Nez Perce Tribe’s effort to keep its electronic video machines in Kamiah and Lewiston despite widespread opposition in state government.

“We think it is a positive for the tribe,” Commissioner Jim Soyk said.

The tribe opened its Clearwater Casino in Lewiston last fall and the It’se-Ye-Ye Tribal Bingo and Casino in Kamiah in late 1995.

An Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee bill winding its way through the Legislature would clarify that video lottery terminals and video pull-tab games are illegal. Gov. Phil Batt also is lobbying to put an end to video gaming.

The commissioners warned Batt in a recent letter that the law would have a dramatic, negative effect on the tribe.