Oregon governor opposes gambling expansion
Tina Kotek has expressed her position on gaming proposals in a letter to tribal, state and federal leaders.
US.- Oregon’s governor Tina Kotek has made clear her opposition to gambling expansion in the state. She has written to the state’s nine indigenous tribes, state and federal leaders and Oregon Lottery director Mike Wells to express her opposition.
The Coquille Tribe has proposed a casino in Medford, while the Siletz Tribe wants to open a venue in Salem. The Oregon Racing Commission wanted to expand betting on historical horse racing and the Oregon Lottery to offer mobile sports betting.
In response, Kotek wrote a letter stating: “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. 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.”
Brenda Meade, chair of Coquille Tribe, said: “Oregon’s governors consistently say they want to prevent the proliferation of casinos, but the state is the biggest casino promoter in Oregon. The Oregon Lottery’s growing video gaming empire is everywhere—grocery stores, bowling alleys, restaurants, lottery parlours and now even on the Internet.”
