Flathead, Blackfeet negotiations moving slowly
Pub Date: 7/1/2006
In a May 25 negotiating session in Helena, state representatives asked the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CS&KT) to consider two enhancements to current compact standards: an increase to 400 tribally owned and operated machines and an increase to $2,000 of the top payout.
Under the existing compact, which expires Nov. 30, the tribes may operate up to 371 machines and are limited to $1,500 payouts.
The state and tribes began negotiating in April when CS&KT representatives presented the state with a proposal for the tribe to take control of all reservation gaming including jurisdiction over non-tribal operations, all enforcement and taxation functions, and full authority over which games are allowed and what limits, if any, would apply to wagers and payouts.
At the second negotiating session April 27, the state backed away from the tribal proposal, particularly the issues surrounding jurisdiction and limits. The state has said it will not negotiate on jurisdiction and that limits are set in statute and any change would require new legislation.
The tribe countered that reservation limits should be based on prize limits set for the state lottery, which there are none. The tribe also suggested perhaps the state should limit the number of non-tribal licenses and machines on the reservation, which are in fact already limited by statute.
If the state and CS&KT do not reach agreement, Class III casino gaming on the Flathead Reservation would have to cease when the current compact expires. The reservation boundaries run from the middle of Flathead Lake south to about 15 miles north of Missoula.
The CS&KT currently operate 185 machines at 12 locations and an unknown number of Class II video gaming devices which are said to be bingo machines but which operate much like conventional slot machines and which have unlimited payouts.
Deanne Sandholm, the state's lead negotiator who answers to the governor, said negotiations are "at a bit of an impasse with neither party taking the next step," yet she said she remains optimistic and "hopeful something can be worked out."
Sandholm said the parties plan to meet again though no date has been set.
Meanwhile, the Blackfeet Tribe has started construction of a new gaming facility at Browning where the tribe, according to the Browning weekly Glacier Reporter, said it is considering hiring staff and managers to run table games including blackjack, roulette and craps, none of which are legal in Montana.
The tribe also ran an employment ad in the Great Falls Tribune suggesting workers were needed for a venue with "the glitz and glamor of Vegas in a REAL casino...(with) more than 400 slot machines, bingo-style blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, truly high-stakes bingo, 24-hour restaurant and much more!"
The job listings included positions for "dealers, pit bosses, showgirls" and other functions.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) Tribes may operate the same games state authorities allow as long as there is a gaming compact in place. Tribes are allowed to operate "traditional" Class II games such as bingo without a compact, which has opened the door to tribes to run the high stakes slot-like Class II video gaming machines such as Rocket Bingo.
The Blackfeet have no compact with the state but began negotiations June 5. The first session went poorly, according to Blackfeet spokesman Roger Running Crane.
He told the Montana Tavern Times June 20 that the tribe was hopeful of negotiating a compact that would allow them to run Class III games, both those currently allowed by the state and, in addition, those Las Vegas style table games mentioned in the news account but currently not allowed in the state.
Apparently the Tribe is seeking authority to operate as many gaming devices as the state allows non-tribal operators to run about 18,000 Class III devices but with no limits on wagers or payouts.
No future date had been set for another negotiating round at press time.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.