The Embryo. Gambling has been part of man's ventures, likely since Eve gambled on the bite of an apple. I am not an ardent foe of gambling per se. In the United States we used to call it "destination gambling." Decades ago gamblers would head out to only two states to try their luck. As a way out of the Great Depression, Nevada legalized gambling in 1931. Later New Jersey joined in, creating a very few cities across America—Atlantic City, Reno, Tahoe, Las Vegas—as significant destinations that featured gambling. Families and gamblers would pack up and go to these destinations with a fixed amount to lose, and then return home. State regulation and taxation of gambling is substantial. Even the IRS jumps in to claim taxes from gambler winnings.

The Public Courtship. State-sanctioned lotteries started the benign courtship of American consumers, enticing them with endless funds for education and all things necessary for the public good. In 1964 New Hampshire started the first state lottery. By 1994 no less than 37 states embarked upon state-run lotteries. In 1985 the first multi-state lottery games emerged, and by 1985 we had Lotto Powerball in numerous states. The "Lotto" game synergized customer interest by rolling-over weekly prizes to build large pots. With little thought, gambling has become as benignly imbedded in American routines as renting a DVD. It has now morphed into a political power-monger taking out one community after another.

The Godfather Weds Mother Earth. In 1988 the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was a slick scheme—an absolute and intentionally arranged marriage—to promote economic development on Indian reservations. Congress knew this marriage of an otherwise egregiously incompatible couple, required a substantial dowry to attract an already wealthy groom, so it promised three federally exclusive gifts: 1) tribal casinos would have a monopoly, 2) they would be located on lands unregulated by state or local governments, and 3) tribal casinos would not be taxed. After all, the gaming industry across the country was doing well even while accountable to competition and taxes. Why else would the gaming industry bother with Indian tribes without these three vital perks?

The Doting Parents. To ensure homage, tithing and undying affection from the newlyweds noted above, the ever parental Congress also passed election acts, campaign finance acts, lobbying and taxation legislation that neatly omit two words: "Indian tribes." Without these specifically included words, tribes are exempt from legislation. No one knows this more keenly than Congress. Exempt from all these Congressional Acts, tribal casinos and tribal governments now lavishly and frequently reward our congressmen, and governors, and thousands of incumbents across the country at every level of government for feeding the growing monster of rampant tax-free gambling.

The Traveling. It's wide open now. On February 1st at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, George Skibine plainly explained to Senator Dorgan that yes, a tribe located anywhere in the country, could decide to open a Class III casino in mid-town Manhattan, NY. Mr. Skibine has a lengthy business title: "Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development in the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior." Skibine tutored the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs by noting that nothing in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act limits a tribe to its state or its homelands or any zip code that contains a potential "gaming market." The only obstacles are elected officials already feeding at this trough. These obstacles are easily overcome with a lovely cocktail of historical guilt blended with bountiful and unending campaign cash.

The Casino's Tax-Exempt Cousins. Once a tribal Class III casino opens, adjacent lands are quickly gobbled up to house a tribal hotel, resort, golf courses, gas stations, cigarette shops, retail and restaurant facilities, all operating under tax and local government-exempt regulations. This expanded land and economic base of tribal governments creates a defacto "reservation" in the heart of communities, and brings a new political force, backed by the federal government, to overwhelm local government land use and economic development goals. These satellite "reservations" destroy the local and regional tax economy while escalating a tribal government's voice in all new regions.

Reproducing At Will. An apathetic American public, hooked on gambling, pretends not to hear the cries of communities trying to keep out these beasts. One never sees an empty parking lot around a casino. As voters, we scream about political corruption while heading in to hit those slots. Gamblers don't see the economic suffocation of their own home towns or their own homes. They just see the hope of winning. But it's Congress that gets the cash. Americans, - well, we either demand that Congress end this travesty or suffer irreparable consequences. I don't do casinos and I don't vote for elected officials that are bloated from this nasty business. As an elected official myself, I took an Oath of Office to preserve and protect my government, not hand it over to separate, tax-free gaming governments corrupting my colleagues and eating up my country.

Elaine Willman is a City Councilwoman, in Toppenish, WA, and Chair of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA), a coalition of community education organizations focused on federal Indian policy. She also authored a book entitled "Going to Pieces...The Dismantling of the United States." Reach her via email at mailto:mailto:toppin@aol.com

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