In This Issue:

- NORTHWEST GAMING LAW SUMMIT FOCUSES ON INDIAN COUNTRY by Robert W. Stocker II

The 9th Annual Northwest Gaming Law Summit held in Seattle last Thursday and Friday was well attended by representatives of Indian Country notwithstanding President Obama’s last minute high level meeting with tribal leaders in Washington during the same time frame.

There was extensive discussion of Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of Rincon Reservation v. Schwarzenegger, in which the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals declared that California’s demand for 15% of gross gaming revenues constitutes (1) an illegal tax on tribal gaming revenues and (2) a failure to negotiate in good faith. The focus was on what impact this decision will have on upcoming tribal/state compact negotiations throughout the country.....

- NCLGS CONFERENCE SET FOR JANUARY 6-8 IN LAS VEGAS