Interesting things happen in the USA in the sector of gambling.  In many states, it is illegal to gamble even though many of those states have state run lotteries, allow poker machines and other forms of gambling.  It seems gambling is going on in legal ways so why is it illegal to build a casino?

Now, let us pile on the growing number of tribal gambling casinos.  Even though the state says it is illegal, the tribes are allowed to build and run large casinos, supposedly due to their claims to sovereignty over the land.  This produces an unfair business environment of the surrounding areas where this activity is illegal.

Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski on April 6, 2005, signed a contract allowing the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to build Oregon's first "off-reservation" casino in the Cascade Locks.  How is it they can build a tribal casino off the reservation land?  The tribes have no claims on the land, so that land must fall under the USA jurisdiction where gambling (at least casinos) are considered illegal.

Supposedly, the purpose of this deal is to help protect an "environmentally sensitive" area near Hood River where the tribes had rights to build the casino along with the fact it will bring new jobs and income to a town in economic problems.

The big issue, if the governor and others happen to think it is a good deal to have these tribal casinos in the first place along with a state lottery and the new gaming machines, why keep casinos owned by Americans out?  This seems unfair and without merit.

Two men from Lake Oswego plan to put a measure on the Oregon ballot to open up the state to non-tribal casinos which they wish to build near Portland.  Their initial plan is mostly to use video gaming machines and pay the state 25 percent of the profits.  The new deal governor Ted Kulongoski signed for the tribal casino is only for 17 percent of the profits to flow into the state fund in and indirect manner.

People may argue on moral levels and concerns that it will increase gambling addictions, but what is the difference?  There are already enough ways to legally gamble if one chooses, not to mention illegal methods including possible online gambling.  We cannot let this fear stand in the way and force gaming in Oregon to the lottery and the number of growing tribal casinos that the state has no control over.

It is time to allow the people of Oregon to place a bet if they wish and do that in an American casino!