ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 39

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblyman GEIST

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to enact the "Fair Indian Gaming Act", which would permit greater State and federal regulation of gambling conducted by Indian tribes.

Whereas, During 1980's, certain Indian tribes began to conduct significant amounts of gambling on reservations and other land held in trust for the tribes by the federal government; and

Whereas, This activity was largely unregulated by the federal government and beyond the reach of state law; and

Whereas, The vast sums of money generated from gambling by the mostly non-Indian patrons of Indian bingo halls and casinos raised concerns about the risk of corruption especially by organized crime influences; and

Whereas, Congress responded to these concerns in 1988 by enacting the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which attempted to provide a regulatory framework that balanced the interests of the federal government, the States and the tribes; and

Whereas, That act did not adequately address many of the issues raised by Indian gaming and permitted the continued proliferation of poorly-regulated gaming facilities; and

Whereas, Under the existing statutory scheme it may be possible for the Delaware Indians of Western Oklahoma, a group which has had no nexus with the State of New Jersey for over a century, to gain control over, and operate a casino on, a site in Wildwood, New Jersey; and

Whereas, This proposed casino would not be subject to regulation or taxation by this State and would directly compete with Atlantic City's casinos and other forms of legalized gambling; and

Whereas, H.R.1512 of 1995, the "Fair Indian Gaming Act," would close many of the loopholes in the existing federal law and address the risk of corruption by enhancing federal and State regulation of gambling conducted by Indian tribes; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Congress of the United States is respectfully memorialized to enact H.R. 1512 of 1995, the "Fair Indian Gaming Act," into law.

    2. A copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Vice-President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

    This Assembly resolution memorializes the Congress of the United States to enact H.R.1512 of 1995, the "Fair Indian Gaming Act," which would permit greater State and federal regulation of gambling conducted by Indian tribes.

Memorializes Congress to enact the "Fair Indian Gaming Act," which would permit greater State and federal regulation of Indian gambling.