Legality of tribes' gaming machines questioned

COEUR d’ALENE — Four North Idaho legislators are questioning the legality of a large number of gaming machines in tribal casinos in Idaho.

The letter, sent Monday to Idaho State Lottery Director Jeff Anderson, is signed by Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens; Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene; Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, and Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene.

The legislators use the Coeur d’Alene Casino as an example  in the letter. They state that all of the electronic games at the Worley establishment appear to be in conflict with the Tribe’s gaming compact with the state. They claim that based on information the legislators received, the gambling machines are actual slot machines rather than “stylized electronic bingo or electronic pull-tab games with spinning reels as were once used in the past by the tribes.”

“Since slot machines are clearly not allowed in Idaho, we respectfully request that you review for compliance the electronic games in use at all Idaho tribal casinos,” the letter states. “The manufacturers that have devices in the Coeur d’Alene Casino include IGT, Bally, WMS and Aristocrat, well known manufacturers of slot machines widely used in Las Vegas.”

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