Oregon Group allowed to challenge gambling compact

A group called PACT, People Against A Casino Town, seeks to challenge the gaming compact signed by former Gov. John Kitzhaber. They unsuccessfully sought to challenge the compact since before it was signed on the ground that the state consitution bans casinos and therefore, the governor had no authority to sign the Class III gaming compact. The group brought action in Lane County Circuit Court, U.S. District Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals. It wasn't until they brought it to the Oregon Supreme Court that they got the go ahead to have their day in court.   

Bob Garcia, spokesman for the Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians said "We're disappointed in the decision . . . But it doesn't change the basic facts which are as long as the state engages in gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the tribes have the absolute right to engage in the same gaming the state does." He is referring to the 1988 provision in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that "requires a state to negotiate a compact with the tribe if the state already permits the type of gambling the tribe seeks to establish."

You can read the full story on OregonLive.com.

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