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Montana Tribes Form Gaming Association

MISSOULA, Montana – As reported by the Missoulian: "Tribal representatives from across Montana met this week to mark the beginning of what they see as a new era for tribal gambling in the state.

"Leaders representing six of the seven reservations in the state left a meeting in Billings on Tuesday ready to announce creation of the Montana Tribal Gaming Association, an organization intent on strengthening Montana tribes' gambling opportunities.

"…While hundreds of tribes across the country have established lucrative casino operations, Montana tribal casinos have provided little profit or jobs to American Indian communities when compared to tribes across the country, including their immediate neighbors.

"…In 2004, North Dakota tribes' gaming revenue topped $96.9 million, and Idaho tribes netted $140 million, according to the 2005 Indian Gaming Industry Report by Alan Meister, an economist with Analysis Group. Montana tribes' revenue for the same time period, however, barely hit $16.3 million.

"Montana tribal leaders point to the low revenue numbers as proof of their inability to negotiate meaningful gaming compacts with the state. Current state gambling compacts typically limit tribes to 150 machines per tribal casino. Tribes also point to the disparity of machines they operate compared to non-Indian casino owners…"

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