Oregon’s longstanding “one-tribe, one-casino” policy, a distinctive framework for tribal gaming, is at the center of intensifying tensions. Two proposed off-reservation casinos—one in Salem and another in Medford—have sparked opposition from several tribes and could reshape the state’s gaming landscape. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians are leading efforts to halt the projects, fearing significant disruptions to Oregon’s carefully maintained balance of tribal and state-operated gaming.

The proposals have surfaced at a critical juncture. After President Joe Biden’s administration recently approved an off-reservation casino in Minnesota, tribal leaders in Oregon expressed alarm. They believe the decision signals the potential approval of the Salem and Medford casino projects. In a letter to Governor Tina Kotek, tribal chairs Cheryle Kennedy and Carla Keene urged immediate intervention to prevent the applications from advancing. “If these casinos move forward, they will destroy the balance of gaming in Oregon,” the letter warned.

Implications for Oregon’s Gaming Ecosystem

Under Oregon’s unique policy, the state’s nine federally recognized tribes can each operate one casino on their reservation lands. This approach has limited the proliferation of tribal casinos, ensuring that existing establishments benefit from relatively stable market conditions. The state supplements this policy with video lottery machines, generating over $1 billion annually for the Oregon Lottery—a critical revenue source. Tribal casinos collectively earned $650 million in 2019, underscoring the disparity between state and tribal gaming revenues.

However, the Salem and Medford projects challenge this equilibrium. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Coquille Indian Tribe, which have sought to establish these casinos, argue that new facilities closer to urban centers would provide much-needed economic opportunities for their communities. Opponents, including the Grand Ronde and Cow Creek tribes, contend that these developments would undercut their markets and strain Oregon’s policy.

Cow Creek CEO Michael Rondeau, cited by Willamette Week, emphasized the stakes, stating, “If the Medford casino is approved, we will have no choice but to explore every opportunity to provide for our people, which would mean expanding gaming into urban areas, like Eugene, and providing mobile gaming statewide.”

Navigating Federal and State Approval Processes

The Medford casino proposal hinges on federal approval alone, making it a relatively straightforward process. In contrast, the Salem project must clear a two-part approval process requiring both state and federal consent. The Grand Ronde and Cow Creek tribes argue that federal approval of Medford’s casino could weaken Oregon’s “one-tribe, one-casino” precedent, complicating Governor Kotek’s ability to deny similar projects in the future.

Governor Kotek has reiterated her opposition to gaming expansion. In a statement from April 2023, she declared, “I do not favor an expansion of gaming,” singling out the Coquille Tribe’s Medford project as a significant concern. Despite this stance, Kotek’s office remains engaged with all nine federally recognized tribes, awaiting decisions from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The debate has also drawn national attention. Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Ron Wyden, supports maintaining the current gaming structure. According to his spokesman Hank Stern, “That principle has proven a good balance to give all tribes an equal opportunity at economic success, and upending that harmony poses a needlessly risky gamble.”

Broader Impacts on Tribal Sovereignty and State Policies

Critics of Oregon’s policy argue that it favors certain tribes while restricting others. For instance, the Grand Ronde’s Spirit Mountain Casino benefits from its proximity to Portland and Salem, while rural tribes like the Siletz and Coquille face limited economic opportunities. Advocates for the Salem and Medford projects highlight this disparity, noting that existing expansions have not drastically altered Oregon’s gaming dynamics.

As the federal government deliberates on these applications, Oregon’s gaming policy stands at a crossroads. Approval of either project could significantly impact tribal sovereignty, economic distribution, and the state’s reliance on lottery revenues. Governor Kotek and tribal leaders remain engaged in discussions, signaling that the outcome of these debates will shape Oregon’s gaming landscape for years to come.

Elections Impact

Donald Trump’s election as president, along with the upcoming Republican majority in the U.S. Congress, is already influencing Indian Country’s priorities, according to Indianz.com. Tribes and tribal organizations across the nation have rallied behind Patrice Kunesh’s nomination to lead the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). They emphasize her extensive experience in government and economic policy as essential for heading the federal agency that regulates the $41.9 billion tribal casino industry.

However, Republicans in the U.S. Senate, currently in the minority, have opposed Kunesh’s nomination, particularly since it comes from outgoing President Joe Biden, a Democrat. During a brief meeting in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Republican senators voted—both in person and by proxy—against her appointment, aiming to block her ascension to the leadership role.