Outgoing President Joe Biden has signed off on an off-reservation tribal casino in Minnesota, which has raised concerns among Oregon tribal casino operators.
After the decision was announced, two tribal chairs wrote to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek: “It is common for outgoing administrations to make decisions affecting tribes after an election and before the next administration takes office.” Tribal casino operators in Oregon then requested a meeting with the governor to discuss tribal gaming in the state further.
The outgoing Biden administration is also considering other off-reservation casino approvals in Oregon and other US states. Two tribes in Oregon are requesting off-reservation casino approval because they believe locations outside of major cities will greatly increase their revenue.
Gov. Kotek announced her views on gambling shortly after taking office, stating that she does not favor gambling expansion in the state. Today, there are nine tribes that each operate a casino in the state on federally recognized tribal grounds. Two of the nine tribes can operate a much smaller second casino.
US casinos in Oregon are all regulated by the federal government under the state’s ordinance. In 1987, then-Gov. Barbra Roberts issued a one-tribe, one-casino property policy that is still in effect today.
Oregon Tribal Casinos Seek Off-Reservation Casinos
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have sought to open an off-reservation casino near Salem for over thirty years; however, they have not gotten approval for the project. The Coquille Indian Tribe has also sought a second casino off the reservation near Medford. Both tribes believe they can significantly increase revenue if located near the proposed building sites.
However, the Grand Ronde and Cow Creek Band tribes greatly fear Biden’s new off-reservation casino approval, as if it were to happen in Oregon, it could affect their player pool and revenue.
Does Oregon Offer Legitimate Online Casinos?
Oregon does not authorize tribal casinos to operate online; however, legitimate casinos are available online from out-of-state sites regulated by a trusted governing body.
Offshore casinos have accepted players from The Beaver State since the late 1990s. The state pioneered the industry with lucrative bonus offers, reward programs, and user-friendly banking options. Today, many players in the state prefer online casinos as they are more convenient, offer more variations and titles, and offer a slew of other gambling options, including sports betting and poker gambling.