WASHINGTON — The head of the National Indian Gaming Commission said Thursday that he's determined to act on a controversial change involving electronic bingo machines, despite widespread complaints from Indian tribes that they haven't had enough input.
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Philip Hogen, chairman of the regulatory commission, told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that it's past time to draw a "bright line” between Class II and Class III gaming.
"I've got to get this done,” said Hogen, who also told the committee he thinks nearly 60 percent of tribes' electronic bingo machines are unlawful.
Under the commission's proposal, "one-touch” bingo machines would be shut down after a five-year "grandfather” period for the machines currently in use, Hogen said.
Technological advances have blurred the line between Class II electronic bingo machines and the Class III casino-type slot machines that are subject to state agreements — and a state cut of the profits.
J.R. Mathews, vice chairman of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, said the tribes had only a month to respond to four proposed changes.
"When you have so many tribes in Indian country who are against what they're doing and how they're doing it, there have to be some red flags thrown up there,” Mathews told the committee.
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Well Clark, why dont you find out the answers to all the questions you seem to have. Once you do then one could have a meaningful debate with you but in your ignorant state of mind that would be impossible.
I will be willing to bet if you will forgive the play on words that at least as many if not less Native Americans use their "wealth" for drugs, alcohol and gambling as do the white eys. That would be per capita of course. Oh yeh, check it out a vast majority of the workers in a Native American Casinos are indeed Native American, paying taxes, raising families, and contributing to the local, state and Federal economies. And no I am not kidding, again before you offer opinions know what you are talking about not a knee jerk reaction.
I'll let the spelling of the previous submitters speak for itself. Self sufficient? You've got to be kidding. What percentage of Native American casino workers are Native Americans? How many of the recipients of this new wealth are educating themselves to be productive members of society? How many are using it for drugs, alcohol and gambling?
However Benedict is spelled, and while I do not agree with the analogy as I know the man; but it does seem so. The fact is Indian Gaming is all about economic development for the Indian Nations, and everyone should be thankful that our Native American brothers have the progressive thinking and motivation to be self sufficient.
Class III here in Oklahoma is not the same as vegas style Class III although under a compact; the determination of Class II vs Class III is the Tribal Gaming Commission hand in hand with Mr Hogen's agency; this was never intended to be a unilateral decision and this is being forced down the throats of Native American's as witnessed by last year the NIGC after trying the first time withdrew the regs.
It seems to me that a real committee sitting down around the table and addressing everyones concerns not the multitude of interested parties all sitting at their own tables; is a much better solution. All that will happen is we all are going to make the attorneys even richer.
Thanks
Poor Hogen and his self-hating ways. His legacy he hopes will be too cripple the Indian gaming industry. Could they pay him enough to sink this low? Let Indian people live and prosper without these unseemly attacks from Indian country's bennedick arnold. We can do better than this. He is the wrong messanger.
Here we go again Indians, A new Custer has jumped on his horse and riding across America saying the Indians are braking our laws!!! We have to protect Las Vegas Casinos!! From the Indian Casinos, their going to wipe up out!!! What a boat load of B-S!! Indian nations will lose billions if Philip Hogen, has his way. It should be against the LAW to stop Indians from having class 3 gaming!!! Our government helps all other business out with tax cuts, this is as raciest as it can get In America toward Indians!!!
UnitedNativeAmerica
6
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
I will be willing to bet if you will forgive the play on words that at least as many if not less Native Americans use their "wealth" for drugs, alcohol and gambling as do the white eys. That would be per capita of course. Oh yeh, check it out a vast majority of the workers in a Native American Casinos are indeed Native American, paying taxes, raising families, and contributing to the local, state and Federal economies. And no I am not kidding, again before you offer opinions know what you are talking about not a knee jerk reaction.
Class III here in Oklahoma is not the same as vegas style Class III although under a compact; the determination of Class II vs Class III is the Tribal Gaming Commission hand in hand with Mr Hogen's agency; this was never intended to be a unilateral decision and this is being forced down the throats of Native American's as witnessed by last year the NIGC after trying the first time withdrew the regs.
It seems to me that a real committee sitting down around the table and addressing everyones concerns not the multitude of interested parties all sitting at their own tables; is a much better solution. All that will happen is we all are going to make the attorneys even richer.
Thanks
UnitedNativeAmerica