A measure that would have prevented Idaho’s tribal casinos from offer slot machines was narrowly defeated in a committee vote last week.
The bill’s author, Rep. Tom Loertscher claims that video machines at tribal casinos violate the state’s constitution, which, he says, bans all slot machines. His bill would have made it plain that the ban on slots applies to tribal casinos.
The House Affairs Committee voted 8-7 to table the bill for this session. Loertscher earlier denied that his bill was not a “getting even” attempt for the tribes’ successful efforts to ban historical racing or “instant” horse racing machines at the state’s racetracks.
This affected three racetracks that offered the “instant racing” machines.
He said that the bill didn’t intend to ban tribal gaming. “There’s nothing contained therein that does anything of the kind,” he said, according to the Spokesman-Review. The bill would have amended a measure approved by the voters 15 years ago.
Other lawmakers were not so sure. Rep. Dustin Manwaring declared: “I just don’t believe that the purpose is to only reconcile Idaho Code with the Constitution.”
Other lawmakers worried that the bill would put the state in the position of defending a lawsuit it couldn’t win.
“I would hate for this to go to the courts for them to decide what is to come down to impact our economy and our communities who very much rely on the resources that the tribes provide,” said Rep. Paulette Jordan.
Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts added, “Thousands of strong, high-paying jobs have resulted from their investments. This bill in my opinion sends a negative message that strong economic growth consistent with the laws of the land can be adversely affected by potentially conflicting legislation. Thirteen thousand jobs and $1 billion dollars is in jeopardy if this bill moves forward.”
Racing interests, including Coeur d’Alene Racing Inc., supported the bill.
One way Idaho could safely end Indian gaming would be to ban all gambling, but that would include the lottery and pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, plus charitable gaming.
