AUSTIN-American Indian tribes in El Paso and East Texas want a “get out of jail free card” to reopen casinos closed by a Texas attorney general’s action and backed up by a federal court order, Suzii Paynter, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission maintains.

And if lawmakers allow a legislative exemption for the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes, it could lead to costly litigation-and open the door to out-of-state tribes launching casinos throughout Texas, she and other anti-gambling activists insist.

Leaders of the two tribes testified before the House Criminal Jurisprudence subcommittee March 30 on the first casino gambling bill to receive a public hearing this session.

Rep. Norma Chavez of El Paso has introduced legislation that would provide a defense to prosecution for Texas tribal casinos run by the Tiguas and the Alabama-Coushatta. That same proposal narrowly failed in the House in 2007.

The tribes maintain they should be allowed to offer gambling because Texas voters approved a state lottery in 1991.

Stephen Reeves, public policy legislative counsel for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, testified against Chavez’s proposal. Reeeves categorized casino gambling as a predatory business that preys on human weakness for profit.

Furthermore, passage of the measure probably would face a legal challenge because it wouldn’t pass constitutional muster, he predicted.

And if the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes were allowed to operate casinos, federal law could allow any tribes with historic ties to establish casinos in Texas, he asserted.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jose Menendez of San Antonio, has introduced HB222, which would allow electronic video poker games at bars and restaurants throughout the state.