Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

The United Sioux Tribes held a special meeting on Thursday to discuss frustrations with state negotiations over tribal gaming compacts in which a national media campaign against the state was considered. "I don't think people across the country are gonna like what the governor is doing in this state, and I think this should go nationwide," John Peebles, the tribe's attorney, said during the meeting at the Ramkota. Rounds was invited to attend the meeting through personal invitation and through a recent statewide media campaign including a newspaper ad stating, "Governor Rounds, we've listened to you, why aren't you listening to us? It's time to talk face to face." Rounds declined the invitation. Currently, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe's gaming compact with the state is expired, and, according to tribal attorneys, Rounds and his representatives refuse to negotiate another compact, which was the premise for this special meeting. The gaming compact would have automatically renewed if the tribe had not asked to negotiate a new agreement, which includes 500 new gaming machines to be used to bring in revenue for other developments including a new resort, hotel and family recreation center. According to the governor's press secretary, Mark Johnston, the governor has said he would be willing to look at a compact if presented with one. Peebles said that during negotiations that took place in May, the governor was asked to sign a compact but refused. While considering its options, the tribes had discussed banding together in opposition to video lottery in response to the state's actions.

"But they will remain neutral on video lottery. They didn't want to get into anybody's business," said Clarence Skye, executive director of the United Sioux Tribes. "But they do want the legislature to say either by resolution or proclamation that they support these expansions. The governor has refused to meet with them, he claims he has taken care of that through his negotiators, and that's not true."

Skye said he received a letter from Rounds' office saying the governor and his designated compact representatives would not attend Thursday's meeting.

Previous negotiations between these representatives and the tribes have not gone well.

Those in attendance at today's meeting were outraged by a comment made on Sept. 20 by John Guhin, a representative from the attorney general's office.

According to Skye, Guhin remarked that the "Indian people of South Dakota are not citizens of the state."

Guhin said that statement was false.

Peebles said during Thursday's meeting he is less than impressed with the state's reasons for its unwillingness to negotiate a new contract.

"We are constantly being told by the state that South Dakota is a state of limited gaming, but we are actually at the top of the list in regard to the number of gaming machines here," Peebles said. "South Dakota was found to be third in the nation based on an analysis of lowest population per gaming position and we were only after Nevada and Montana."

Fred Assam, another tribal attorney, said it is a state statute that declares public policy will be to preserve free enterprise.

"But if you don't have the capital, which for the tribes is acquired through gaming machines, you won't have the ability to pay off the debt to develop, therefore it limits tribal government's ability to expand and build quality facilities. So their ability to get financing resources and develop economically is directly related to these short term compacts with the state," said Peebles. "All we want to do is go to the bank and borrow the money to build and then pay back the loan, just like everybody else does. What gives here?"

One tribal representative, Robert Cournoyer, chairman of the Yankton Sioux Tribe said dealings with the state have been "archaic" and wondered if economic development was "just for white people".