Executive Branch Standards for Land-in-Trust Decisions for Gaming Purposes

The purpose of today's hearing is to broadly examine the administration's process for approving gaming rights on lands acquired in trust after 1988. Tribal gaming has been one of the most successful revenue generators for tribal governments, and has raised the standard of living for many tribal communities in most regions of the United States. The Bureau of Indian Affair's (BIA) recent approval of certain trust land applications over the objections of other tribes and surrounding communities is causing public support to erode for tribal gaming. Many tribes are currently operating successful facilities on their own reservations, in accordance to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). However, the BIA is approving off-reservation facilities that threaten the viability of these existing operations. It is remarkable how tone-deaf the administration has been to concerns expressed by Members of Congress, Indian Tribes, and other government officials regarding the impacts of off-reservation casinos.