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Texas Tribes Might Reopen Casinos

AUSTIN, Texas – As reported by the (Fort Worth, Texas) Star-Telegram:" As lawmakers weigh the pros and cons of legalizing video gambling at horse and dog racetracks to help fund Texas schools, two American Indian tribes anticipate whether passage of the legislation might put them back in business.

"Casinos run by the Tiguas in El Paso and the Alabama-Coushattas in Livingston were shut down in 2002 after a long legal battle. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who was Texas Attorney General at the time, fought to get the casinos closed, saying state law prohibited casino gambling. A federal court agreed.

"A special legislative session set to begin Tuesday will address new funding methods for public schools and one of the proposals calls for allowing video gambling at racetracks and the state collecting taxes on the receipts. Republican Gov. Rick Perry wants to abolish the share-the-wealth, or Robin Hood, system because it relies heavily on property taxes.

"If the video gaming measure passes, it would likely open the doors again of the tribal casinos.

"…Both tribes would have to sign contracts with the state stipulating that video slot machines would be the only form of gambling on the reservations, no card or dice games, Perry spokesman Robert Black said…"

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