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Minnesota Governor Wants End to Tribal Gaming Monopoly

MINNESOTA – As reported by the Minnesota Pioneer Press: "Demanding a 'better deal for Minnesotans,' Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Thursday for changing the monopoly the state's Indian tribes now have on casino gambling.

"Pawlenty's brief comments about gambling in his State of the State speech were intended to signal that he wants to significantly modify the 15-year-old relationship between the state and the tribes, which operate 18 casinos.

"But Pawlenty's statement did not say how, and his staff refused to elaborate.

"…Some Republican lawmakers speculated Thursday that Pawlenty was insisting the tribes share gaming profits with the state or face state-sanctioned competition. A number of Republican legislators have proposed new state-licensed or state-owned casinos at the Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee, the Mall of America and other metro-area locations.

"…Casino gambling has been very profitable for the Minnesota tribes whose reservations are close to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Mystic Lake Casino, operated by the tiny Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, is one of the largest casinos in the United States and the tribe's members have become wealthy from its success…"

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