Indian Gaming Act produced bad results

The editorial, “New tribal rules defy logic, fairness,” (July 6), complained that new rules for federal recognition prevent tribes that were denied previously from reapplying and, therefore, are unfair to three Connecticut tribes. Politicians celebrated this ruling. Why? It is not the red herring that recognition will result in annexation fights. With lessons learned from Ledyard, Preston and North Stonington successfully beating back tenacious annexation attempts by the Mashantuckets with their billions, officials today are savvy enough to quickly thwart such egregious land grab attempts. No, the preponderant reason for the politicians’ glee is that the new rules preclude these tribes from establishing casinos.

Federal recognition provides, among other things, support to tribes for education, housing, health care, and with the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the right to establish casinos. Perhaps the worst thing that happened to these three tribes was Congress’ passing the IGRA. Without it they would all probably be recognized today.

The IGRA is also one of the worst things that have happened to the entire Northeast region as it has been instrumental in enabling the glut of casinos on the horizon.

Gerald Drury Ledyard