The gambling treaty in Texas, specifically the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act, does not have an expiration date. This treaty, enacted in 1987, remains in effect indefinitely unless Congress takes action to modify or repeal it.

I want to clarify that unlike some other tribal gaming agreements that have set termination dates, the Texas gambling treaty is permanent legislation. The act restricts gaming activities on tribal lands in Texas according to state law, which has been a source of ongoing legal discussions and court cases.

It's important to note that while the treaty doesn't expire, there have been several attempts to amend it. In recent years, both the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (also known as the Tigua Tribe) and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe have sought to expand their gaming operations through legal challenges and congressional action.

In 2022, there was a significant development when Congress passed the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act. This legislation modified the original 1987 treaty to allow these tribes to conduct electronic bingo under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), but it did not include an expiration date.

If you're interested in the current status of tribal gaming in Texas, the focus should be on the ongoing implementation of the 2022 amendment rather than looking for an expiration date. The treaty continues to govern tribal gaming activities in Texas and will remain in effect unless Congress takes further action to change it.

For those seeking to understand the practical implications, this means that:

- The treaty is permanent legislation
- Any changes require congressional action
- The 2022 amendment expanded gaming rights but didn't add an expiration date
- The basic framework of the 1987 agreement remains in place

This permanent nature of the treaty affects both tribal gaming operations and state oversight of gambling activities in Texas. Understanding this helps clarify why discussions about tribal gaming in Texas focus on amendments and interpretations rather than renewal dates or expiration terms.

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