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Salem Doesn’t Need More Traffic and a Las Vegas Casino in Our Neighborhood

The Siletz Tribe is attempting to build a massive, Las Vegas-style casino right in the heart of Salem. If approved, a commercial lot off of Portland Road in northeast Salem will become a 180,000 square foot gambling operation, with 2,000 gaming devices, 45 table games, along with a 500 room hotel, and 3 restaurants – right off of Interstate 5.

This casino will attract thousands of monthly visitors creating new traffic in our residential neighborhoods which will make our neighborhoods less safe – Like we don’t have enough traffic issues already!

If one tribe can do it, why wouldn’t other tribes also put mega-casinos in Portland, Eugene, and other major metropolitan areas? How fair would it be for the Siletz Tribe to have 2 Vegas-style casinos while the rest of Oregon’s tribes only have 1? Soon we will be living in an Oregon we don’t recognize, with casinos all over the state.

Join our coalition of community leaders, business owners, and concerned citizens and say NO SALEM CASINO!

FAQ

What is the Siletz Tribe proposing?

The Siletz Tribe, owners of Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, is seeking federal and state approval to turn a commercial lot into another Class 3 (Las Vegas Style) casino more than 40 miles off-reservation. A similar proposal at the same location by the Siletz was rejected by Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts in the early 90’s.

Where is the property?

Because of its location just minutes off I-5, a new massive gambling operation would bring thousands of new visitors to Salem, which would bring massive amounts of new traffic into neighborhoods.

Have any other Oregon tribes tried this before?

Yes, unsuccessfully. The Siletz Tribe and Warm Springs Tribe have both made attempts at building Vegas-style casinos off-reservation. Both times, they were unsuccessful because of public concern.

Why shouldn’t the Siletz be allowed to build a casino?

While the Siletz Tribe owns the proposed land, the move threatens long-standing Oregon precedent that seeks to strike a balance between Native American economic development and gambling proliferation. In other words, if approved, the rules of the game will have changed, leading to massive gambling proliferation as Oregon tribes across the state would be attempting to build large Vegas-style casinos in Oregon’s metropolitan areas. After all, if one tribe can do it, it is only fair that the rest can as well.

Also, by attracting thousands of monthly visitors, traffic would increase greatly. Salem already has huge traffic issues, we can’t afford more.

Will the casino make traffic worse?

Located just off of Interstate 5, a new Las Vegas-style casino would certainly increase traffic. More traffic through our neighborhoods means less safe neighborhoods.

Wouldn’t the casino create jobs in Salem?

Any estimate of job opportunities must take into account jobs lost at local restaurants who host video lottery and jobs lost to surrounding casinos like Spirit Mountain.

Casinos have always been a source of rural economic development. Rural communities like Grand Ronde and Polk County could be devastated by another casino built just miles away.

Does any other tribe have 2 Vegas-style casinos?

No. The State has entered into agreements with Oregon Tribes that limit casino operations to “One-Casino, On-Reservation.” If the Salem Casino were to move forward, it would reverse this long understood policy, which strikes a balance between Native American economic vitality and the proliferation of gambling across Oregon. If this policy is reversed, we can expect casino efforts all over Oregon’s cities.

What was the original intent of Native American casinos?

Indian gaming was meant to provide Native American tribes in rural areas with the opportunity for economic development. Since its inception, rural economies around Oregon have been bolstered by casinos. If that intent changes, by allowing big city casinos to be built in Oregon, rural economies will suffer, and Native American communities will struggle.

For example, since their inception, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has given back more than $84 million to local communities. Without the revenue from their casino, this could have not been possible.

How would the building of a Salem casino change gambling in Oregon?

If one tribe were allowed to own and operate 2 Las Vegas-style casinos, other tribes should also be able to. We can anticipate tribes across Oregon to apply to bring massive casinos to Bend, Portland, Eugene, Medford, and other cities across Oregon. It’s only fair.

How can we stop the casino?

Per the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), the Siletz Tribe must go through a process which requires the approval of the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Governor of Oregon.

In order to be stopped, we need vocal, concerned citizens to voice their opposition to their elected officials to publicly oppose the building of the casino.

Oregon Leaders Have Consistently Opposed Gambling Proliferation in Oregon

1992

In 1992, Governor Barbara Roberts rejected a similar plan by the Siletz to build a casino on the same property.

1999

In 1999. Governor John Kitzhaber denied the Warm Spring Tribe’s proposal to build a casino in the Columbia River Gorge.

2012

In 2012, 4 current and former Oregon Governors publically opposed Measures 82 and 83 which would have allowed the building of private casinos in Oregon – continuing Oregon leaders’ opposition to gambling proliferation.

2012

Also in 2012, the Warm Springs Tribe withdrew a second attempt to build a Vegas-style casino in the Columbia River Gorge after Gov. Kitzhaber was re-elected.

2016

In 2016, Governor Kate Brown rejected the Coquille Tribe’s effort to build a second casino in Medford – nearly 40 miles off of their reservation.

Impacts

More Traffic.

  • Because of the casino’s proximity to I-5, traffic on Salem’s roads and through neighborhoods would increase – making neighborhoods less safe and adding to Salem’s already bad traffic issues.

Fewer Jobs.

  • A new casino would take away jobs from local lottery retailers, restaurants, and neighboring casinos and their communities. Casino’s for years have served as essential economic drivers in rural communities. Why should we change that?

Picking Winners and Losers. More Big City Gambling.

  • If approved, the state and federal governments would be breaking with historical policy of “One Casino per Tribe, on reservation.” They would be picking winners and losers by allowing one tribe to play by new rules. Soon, every tribe would be wanting casinos in every major Oregon city.

No Local Oversite.

  • Because Native American tribes are independent nations, if the Siletz Tribe were to build a second Vegas-style casino in the heart of Salem, that property would be taken off local tax rolls, reducing important tax dollars for our schools and public safety. To date, there has been no agreement between the Siletz Tribe and the City of Salem to compensate for these lost taxes.

TAKE ACTION NOW.

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