Tribal operators support sports betting law
The sports betting legislation debate has a new supporter: tribal casino operators.
US.- The National Indian Gaming Association has joined the legal battle to implement a federal legislation on sports betting industry. According to local press, the major representative of tribal casino operators became this week part of supporter group, American Sports Betting Coalition.
“We are pleased to announce that the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) will be joining the AGA’s Coalition on Sports Betting, which will enable us to coordinate with and provide feedback to the AGA with regard to tribal gaming concerns as the coalition advances its policy objectives,” Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of NIGA stated. “Of chief concern to NIGA is to ensure that tribal interests are protected, particularly avoidance of any negative impacts on existing compacts and exclusivity clauses.”
The coalition is aimed at implementing new regulation at federal level to eliminate an amendment of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), which only allows sports betting operations in Oregon, Delaware, Montana and Nevada. NIGA has joined the battle, headed by the government of New Jersey, representing 184 tribal casino operators.
“As one of the key stakeholders in these discussions we want to ensure that if legalised, our members have the opportunity to offer this activity as part of their overall entertainment package and as an additional source of revenue for tribal government gaming to promote tribal economic development, tribal self-sufficiency and strong tribal government,” concluded Stevens Jr.
