Missing the point
Ben Stuckart’s column on gaming is misleading [“Spokane Tribe’s casino project will create thousands of jobs,” Opinion, Aug. 30]. Consider these facts: Stuckart and the Spokane Tribe want people to think having historical ties to land means a tribe is entitled to an off-reservation casino – not true.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) prohibits this without a special exception to the law, and don’t forget the tribe already operates two casinos and could build another on their reservation.
Their jobs claims are ridiculous; they assume they’ll build everything (office, retail, etc.), it’s jobs over 20 years and guess what’s actually planned in phase one? Just a casino of course.
Stuckart asserts the casino would not hurt the community and that no other tribe could be granted permission for an off-reservation casino – this is pure fantasy.
More than 20 elected officials, two cities and the chamber of commerce are opposing the casino precisely because of the detriment it would cause.
If the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) starts granting two-part determinations to tribes who want better casino locations, there will be an explosion in applications.
Why should Seattle care? Consider the number of west-side tribes that already own property in downtown Seattle and have the means to buy hotels. Time to tell our governor “no way” to more off-reservation gaming in our state.
– Irv Zakheim, Airway Heights