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Winnebago Casino Raises Legal Gambling Age

IOWA – As reported by the Des Moines Register: "The Winnebago Indian tribe has officially raised its legal gambling age to 21 years old, which means young adults no longer can play slot machines and table games at the western Iowa casino.

"Tribal leaders agreed to set the minimum gambling age at 21 under a new compact with state officials announced Monday by the tribe and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. The compact, required under federal Indian gaming laws, will govern gambling through Dec. 31, 2012, at WinnaVegas Casino near Sloan, about 20 miles south of Sioux City.

"Winnebago tribal leaders had stunned state officials in 1999 by lowering the gambling age to 18 at WinnaVegas. They contended they weren't bound by state laws because of tribal sovereignty. An Iowa law, approved in 1994, prohibits anyone under 21 from gambling at Iowa's riverboat and racetrack casinos.

"Tribal Chairman John Blackhawk said Monday that WinnaVegas had reinstated the 21-year-old age requirement after state officials sent a warning letter last summer…"

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