Gov. Barbour sent a letter to AG Hood addressing the governor's displeasure with "advice" from AG Hood that the governor requested but that AG Hood also passed on to the Choctaws.

I have to admit, I agree with the Governor on this one.  Indians across the nation are allowed to establish gaming venues in states where the state allows bingo, lottery, casinos, or any other game of chance.

But, I believe those should be confined to the reservation proper and not be allowed to proliferate anywhere in the state.

In this case, the Choctaws want to put in a slot machine parlor in Jones County without investing in hotels or other amenities.  Say what you will of the past and I would agree with you; but, taking gaming to an area where people do not want it, establishing a venue on your own set of rules, and requiring state and local governments to construct or improve county or state highways gives an unfair advantage in this field.

In most cases, while the Indian owned casinos employ Indians as well as locals, they are often managed by groups out of Las Vegas or by top personnel who were recruited from non-Indian gaming establishments.  This almost carte blanche location of Indian gaming establishments managed by non-Indian personnel without regard to conforming to state laws gives an unfair advantage to Indian gaming venues.

I would agree there's not much the state can do.  I would also agree the law at the

federal law needs to be changed to level the playing field, past injustices duly noted.