Idaho lawmakers reject anti-tribal gambling bill

Idaho lawmakers have thumbed down proposal to amend the current state law classifying gambling machines at tribal casinos in the state as illegal slot machines.

But the decision to kill the bill authored by Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, came down to a narrow 8-7 vote by members of the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday.

The Idaho Statesman reported that the state had averted a legal headache by rejecting the Loertscher’s measure. On the other hand, Tribes hailed the decision of the House State Affairs Committee to junk the bill, which they said would violate contracts between the tribes, state and federal government.

“It’s discouraging to see a bill like this come up, but we are pleased that the committee members recognized the confusion that would be created by this bill and saw fit to keep it from moving any further,” Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan said in statement.