Oregon’s governor is against any more gambling in her state, no way, no how.
The Willamette Week has reported that Governor Tina Kotek has declared that she opposes further expansion of any kind of gaming in the state, specifically by tribes wanting to add a second casino on their reservations. But also opposes expanding the Oregon Lottery.
That means Governor Kotek is standing against two proposed casinos, one by the Coquille Tribe in Medford and by the Siletz Tribe in Salem.
The governor was blunt in a letter to Oregon’s nine gaming tribes, state and federal officials and the interim director of the Oregon Lottery.
“Throughout my legislative career, during my campaign for this office, and since the start of my administration, I have been clear that I do not favor an expansion of gaming.” Kotek added, “This applies to tribes and the state. Therefore, my policy on Tribal gaming facilities maintains the status quo from past governors, i.e., good faith bargaining between sovereign tribes and the state on one gaming facility per tribe on reservation land.”
Besides the tribal casinos, Oregon Lottery director Mike Wells has been pushing mobile sports betting. Also, the Oregon Racing Commission has asked—so far without result—to be allowed to offer more historical horse racing at Grants Pass Downs.
The state’s tribes are chafing under being limited to one casino each as they watch the Cowlitz Tribe’s ilani Casino in neighboring Washington, which has been very successful. Oregon’s tribes opposed that casino—which opened in 2017.
Kotek’s predecessor Kate Brown and the legislature have dealt with competing proposals by tribal and commercial gaming, without adopting a comprehensive policy. Kotek’s approach is to maintain the status quo.
She wrote, “I wanted to provide this clarification of my tribal gaming policy so that Tribes, the federal government, and local entities know where I stand.” She added, “This helps all of us avoid confusion, use of resources, and advocacy for and against changing my stance in favor of one gaming facility per tribe on reservation land.”
This is not the response that Coquille Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade was hoping for, the Week reported. She declared, “Oregon’s governors consistently say they want to prevent proliferation of casinos, but the state is the biggest casino promoter in Oregon,” Meade said. “The Oregon Lottery’s growing video gaming empire is everywhere—grocery stores, bowling alleys, restaurants, lottery parlors and now even on the internet.” Her view is that the state should not interfere with the tribe’s business.
