Cd'A leaders to Otter, Wasden: Stop instant racing
The following letter was sent to Gov. Butch Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden:
We are writing to you to voice our collective concern regarding Vegas-style casino gaming recently introduced at off-reservation locations such as Post Falls, Boise and Idaho Falls under the pretense of wagering on historical horse races.
This new form of casino gaming, called Instant Racing, has been determined in several states to be nothing more than illegal video slot machines attempting to pass as horse racing. If Instant Racing is not stopped, we could see these installed in one location in every county in the state.
Furthermore, these new off-reservation casinos will directly harm one of the largest employers and economic drivers in North Idaho – the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. As community members, we can attest to the positive impacts the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has on our community and we have seen firsthand how far the Tribe has come in the twenty years since the Coeur d’Alene Tribe brought gaming to their reservation. Today, the Tribe employs nearly 2,000 people in north Idaho and helps fuel our region’s economy. We applaud them for being such responsible managers of their gaming operation and we count them as a strong and essential community partner.
The Tribe has kept its promises with the state and has gone above and beyond to provide for and partner with communities throughout all of Idaho, providing millions of dollars in donations and services to our schools, transportation infrastructure, healthcare needs and other causes. Let’s not jeopardize our important relationship with the tribes in Idaho.
We believe it is your duty to uphold the Idaho State Constitution and take immediate action to stop illegal activity occurring in the State. We encourage you to take a thorough look at these new machines and stop these Instant Racing Machines before they spread to every county.
Sincerely,
Sandi Bloem
Former Mayor of Coeur d’Alene
Jack Riggs
Executive Chairman & CEO, Pita Pit USA, Inc.
Former Lt. Governor of Idaho
Steve Widmyer
Mayor, City of Coeur d’Alene
Joe Dunlap
President of North Idaho College
Woody McEvers
President, Coeur d’Alene City Council
Amy Evans
Coeur d’Alene City Council Member
Major Benton Markham
Executive Director, Salvation Army Kroc Center
Ron Nilson
President, Ground Force Worldwide
Mark Browning
Vice President for Communications and Governmental Relations, North Idaho College
Rocky Watson
Former Sheriff, Kootenai County
Kiki Miller
Coeur d’Alene City Council Member
Christie Wood
President, Kootenai County Task Force
on Human Relations
Board of Trustees Chair, North Idaho College
Steve & Marilyn Griffitts
Sandy Patano
Steve Wilson
Matthew Handelman
Suzanne Metzger
ccs:
Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie
Senate State Affairs Committee Members
House State Affairs Committee Chairman Thomas Loertscher
House State Affairs Committee Members
Senator Steve Vick
Representative Vito Barbieri
Representative Eric Redman
Senator Bob Nonini
Representative Ron Mendive
Representative Don Cheatham
Senator Mary Souza
Representative Luke Malek
Representative Kathy Sims
Senator Dan Schmidt
Representative Paulette Jordan
Representative Caroline Troy