Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson said he is preparing a response to the letter he received from Sen. Bob Nonini and three other North Idaho lawmakers, regarding gaming machines at tribal casinos in Idaho. “I just got it yesterday and I’m preparing a response now, I’ll probably have it ready in a day or so,” Anderson said. He said he didn’t view the lawmakers’ letter as a formal complaint. “They’re asking for clarification, as I see it,” he said.

“As of right now, it’s my understanding the machines that are being used at the tribe are in compliance with the law, and I’m just gathering all of my facts for my response to them,” he said. Anderson said the Lottery Commission monitors compliance of tribal casinos with laws including limits on numbers of machines, a 5 percent payout to communities, and more. “I meet with them at least annually,” he said.

Bill Roden, attorney and lobbyist for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, said, “We report to the state lottery and provide them with information. They also can take a look at machines, and we’ve had machines questioned in the past.” The last time, however, was more than a decade ago; Anderson confirmed that. “Ultimately it was approved,” Roden said. “We provided a lot of material on how those machines operated.”