Stop gambling expansion

As past chairperson of the Washington State Lottery and a member of the commission for nine years, I have seen, up close, the expansion of gaming in our state over the past decade. Washington state now has more tribal gaming than any other state in the country, with the exceptions of California and Oklahoma.

As more and more tribes have opened casinos in Washington, it’s reduced the lottery revenue to the state, which is revenue that helps fund schools, small-business owners and our general fund. I support the rights of tribes to run gaming operations (I’m part Cherokee), but I think it’s time we, community members, send a message to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that enough is enough.

We do not need to open the door to off-reservation casinos in Washington. The Spokane Tribe already runs two casinos; now they want a third, outside Fairchild Air Force Base in an area known as “the crash zone.” This will jeopardize (encroachment) our largest employer, Fairchild, as well as change the culture of our community. What’s to prevent future expansion to downtown Spokane?

Casino Ridpath?

Melinda E. Travis

Spokane