Indian Casino Gambling Okay in Wisconsin
Indian tribes in Wisconsin can continue to offer casino gambling on tribal lands, despite a 1993 state constitutional amendment that bans most forms of gambling, and a unanimous state Supreme Court rules Friday.
In reversing an earlier decision, a majority of the court also found the constitution doesn't limit the type of games the tribes may offer, although it let stand a ruling that gambling compacts must have an expiration date.
It clarifies state law for the tribes, most of which never pulled the high - stakes games they began offering in 2003 like roulette, craps and poker - in addition to the previously allowed blackjack and slots - citing federal authorization.
The decision is a political victory for Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who has sought to expand tribes' gambling options in exchange for higher payments to the state. The ruling also guarantees the flow of tens of millions of tribal dollar into state coffers.
"The court's ruling today affirms what has been the administration's position all along - that the governor has the ability to negotiate gaming compacts with the tribes in accordance with federal law," Administration Secretary Steve Bablitch said. "This is good news for Wisconsin taxpayers who will benefit from millions of dollars in going revenue every year as a result of the compacts Gov. Doyle negotiated."
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