Tribe, state to sign compact for casino at Idaho border

CARSON CITY, Nevada -- An Indian tribe has begun going through the preliminary steps to start an Indian casino on the Nevada-Idaho border.

The Shoshone-Paiute Tribe and the state are signing a compact to permit the tribe to operate in the Duck Valley, agreeing to follow all the gaming regulations of the state.

Mike Wilson, chief deputy attorney general for the state Gaming Control Board, said this compact provides the tribe, when it starts its casino, will play by the same rules as the private gaming industry in Nevada.

The compact comes up for final approval before the state Board of Examiners at its Tuesday meeting. There are eight other Indian-owned casinos in Nevada that have signed contracts with the state.

The tribe is agreeing to seek state approval of the loans it receives to start the casino.

The tribe will not have to pay any gaming tax but will have to reimburse the state for its administrative expenses in processing the application.

Wilson said the federal law permits a state to tax Indian casinos where they have the exclusive right to operate – but not in states like Nevada, where they are in competition.

Gov. Jim Gibbons is expected to sign the compact after approval by the examiners board, of which he is chairman. Then the federal Interior Department Secretary must pass on the operation of the casino.