Gaming Panel Bogs Down

The committee on Indian gambling is getting bogged down in details. Its leader says there’s only one question to be answered: What do the people of Idaho want?

The panel appointed by Gov. Phil Batt to study Indian gaming issues met again in Boise on Thursday. Members spent most of the day reviewing a proposal to define “status quo” in gambling allowed in the state.

There has been a feeling the panel would make no attempt to curtail current Indian gaming, but find some way to prevent expansion.

Chairman Lt. Gov. Butch Otter felt the definitions were too specific. “We’re not supposed to be drawing up an operations manual,” he said.

Idaho residents have been asked gambling questions via the ballot in the past. They approved the Idaho Lottery and declared in a constitutional amendment that they did not want casino-type gambling in the state.

Indian tribes since then have been expanding their operations, leading to clashes with state officials over what is legal and what is not.

Otter said the panel may recommend to the governor and Legislature another vote on the gambling issue.

“There should be three questions asked,” he said.

“Do people want to limit gambling to what it was when the lottery was adopted?” he said.

“Do they want to freeze it as it is now,” not allowing any future expansion, which would be as of November of 1998, when the next general election will be held?

Whether any type of casino gambling be allowed anywhere in the state might be the third question, Otter said.

If restrictions are imposed, he said, people should consider whether that also should mean limitations on the Idaho Lottery or on gambling on horse racing.