Finchem says Ducey can’t legally negotiate with tribes to expand gambling

Fans cheer while watching a college basketball tournament game in the sports book at The Mirage in Las Vegas in this 2014 photo. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wants the state Legislature to allow sports betting here. /John Locher / Las Vegas Review-Journal 2014

By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services  

Plans by Gov. Doug Ducey to allow statewide sports wagering, betting on fantasy leagues, keno and more tribal gambling could be undermined by a Pinal County lawmaker.

Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, contends that the governor lacks the authority to negotiate new gaming compacts with the tribes. Instead, he said that formulating gaming police is “a quintessential legislative function.’’

But Finchem is doing more than just expressing his personal opinion.

He is asking Attorney General Mark Brnovich to review his legal arguments and issue a formal legal opinion declaring the issue of expanded tribal gaming beyond Ducey’s reach.

Strictly speaking, a finding by Brnovich against the governor’s powers would not halt legislative proposals to create new kinds of off-reservation gaming. Everyone, including Ducey, concedes he needs approval of state lawmakers to declare wagering on professional and college sports to be legal in Arizona.

But the existing gaming compacts give the tribes veto power over any expanded off-reservation gambling. It is only because the deal Ducey has negotiated gives them some additional gambling opportunities that they are willing to approve an enlargement of what happens beyond tribal borders.

READ ON:

Share this!

Additional Articles

News Categories

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.

February 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728