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Washington Tribal Casino Land Decision Expected Today

WASHINGTON – As reported by the (Longview, Washington) Daily News: "If the Washington State Gambling Commission approves a request from the Puyallup Indian Tribe today to allow a casino on land that currently isn't federally approved for tribal casinos, critics fear it could open the door for other tribes to operate casinos without first getting the federal government's OK.

"'It is the precedent,' said Kamie Biehl, member of Stand Up for Clark County, a group that opposes a casino the Cowlitz Indian Tribe wants to build near La Center, Wash.

"…The tribe bought the Best Western Fife Hotel in Fife, south of Tacoma, and is asking the BIA to approve an agreement to allow a casino to operate there.

"The Puyallups say the hotel is on reservation land, but the BIA must designate the land as 'trust' to allow the tribe to operate a casino under sovereignty.

"The tribe is asking the commission to make an exception and allow the tribe to operate a casino in Fife temporarily before a BIA decision. The commission's exemption would give the tribe up to six years to complete the trust application to BIA..."

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