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Oregon Changes Gaming Stance
As times change, so do people and their decisions. This is why Oregon has chosen to go neutral when it comes to Tribal gaming. Oregon City could be getting a new slot parlor as the council decided to rescind the opposition regarding the issue.
Despite that outcome, the future of the slot parlor is still not secure as there is opposition from the BIA regarding the proposition. In other words, the BIA hasn’t greenlighted the project yet. The Coquille Indian Tribe, which is behind the project, has also gotten opposition from other tribes.
Medford Could Get New Slot Parlor
No building could have happened without Council approval which is why the city of Oregon decided to vote on the matter. Back in 2013, the Council decided to go against the proposition of the Coquille Indian Tribe for building a slot parlor in Medford.
It could be said that things have improved as the Council has taken a neutral stance. The Council has expressed its thoughts on the matter, but it will also take the locals into account. But the Council doesn’t stand alone when it comes to making the final decision on the Medford slot parlor.
The other 2 bodies are Jackson County officials and the BIA. The officials have expressed concern that the issue may result in a loss of value of property tax. Jackson County officials have also stated that they aren’t against the tribe’s project.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the tribe’s proposition back in 2020, stating that the parlor was just too far away from their offices. If the project comes to life, the BIA could lose a significant amount of revenue when it comes to property tax.
There are 3 tribes that oppose the Medford slot parlor proposition and these are the Karuk, Klamath, and Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua tribes. If the slot parlor is built, then it could result in a loss of revenue for these tribes’ casino establishments. No concrete decisions have been made on the matter yet.
Conclusion
The Coquille Indian Tribe has found itself in a difficult situation regarding its proposed slot parlor in Medford, Oregon. The City Council has stayed neutral so far, but the BIA could lose property tax revenue if the parlor is built. Moreover, 3 neighboring tribes have opposed the project because their gaming establishments could lose money if the Medford slot parlor is built.
