A week after this year’s short legislative session ended March 4, Oregon’s five gaming tribes—the Cow Creek, Grand Ronde, Klamath, Umatilla and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw—wrote to state Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Dan Rayfield asking to convene a special joint committee to chart a path forward for gambling in the state.
On gambling issues, there’s often a clash between the Oregon Lottery, tribal gaming and private interests concerning sports betting, the state’s prohibition of off-reservation casinos and other issues.
“We are writing to request a meeting with you in the spirit of our government-to-government relationship regarding our continued request for the state of Oregon to convene a special Joint Committee on Gambling,” the tribal leaders wrote.
“It has been more than 25 years since the state has led a comprehensive review of the state gambling regulatory structure. Another examination is long overdue and necessary given the evolution of technology in gambling and the constant pressures to expand state government-sponsored and private gambling in Oregon.”
Courtney’s chief of staff, Lisa Taylor, told Willamette Week the Senate president is ready to talk. “Our office is setting up a meeting between Senator Courtney and the tribes,” Taylor said.
Danny Moran, a spokesman for Rayfield, said the new speaker also looks forward to making progress on the proposed gambling commission.
“Speaker Rayfield committed to establish a joint committee on gambling weeks ago, and his office has been in contact with tribal members to plan next steps,” Moran told WW. “He shares concerns about the expansion of gambling options in the state and the impact it will have on the tribes.”
