Sports betting in Indian Country will have a different flavor in every state
By Patrick Roberts
The Oneidas ’ Turning Stone casino in New York has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to offer retail sports betting
Two years after sports betting was legalized in the United States via the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act ( PASPA ), one thing is clear about how the wagers will be introduced into Indian Country . No one state or tribe will be the same .
It started in Mississippi , when tribal casinos ( all operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians ) got the same deal as commercial casinos ( only retail sports betting , no mobile wagering ).
Next came New Mexico . Tribes there saw no law against sports betting , and opened up retail operations without the permission of the state , claiming the bets were legal under the definition of the Class III games they already offered . Several tribes are now offering sports betting , with no pushback from the state .
In North Carolina , where there are no commercial casinos , the state legislature passed a law that permits the state ’ s two tribal casinos , operated by the Cherokees , to allow retail sports betting , but not online or mobile .
In New York , sports betting was approved for all casinos , including tribal facilities owned by the Oneidas , the Mohawks and the Senecas . Like the four commercial casinos in the state , tribal casinos are only permitted to accept bets inside the casinos . The state ’ s racinos were not included in the bill .
In Oregon , tribes began offering sports betting when the state allowed its lottery organization to set up sports betting systems .
In other states , it ’ s more complicated . California tribes have joined forces with the state ’ s racing industry to propose a referendum that would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and racetracks — but not at state card rooms , which have been plagued by corruption and seen multiple raids by the federal government .
Arizona has a similar dilemma when it comes to sports betting . The few remaining racetracks want to get involved , and tribes believe sports betting could be a foot in the door that will lead to full-scale gambling .
In Oregon , sports betting via the state lottery has been legal for years ,
18 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING 2020