Indian Gaming

The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma is still waiting for a decision on its off-reservation casino in Kansas.

The tribe filed a land-into-trust application in 2006. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has yet to make a decision but one might be coming in the next couple of months, according to a status report that was filed in federal court on January 24.

“This is the report he was waiting on,” Chief Billy Friend told The Wichita Eagle.

The report states that the Solicitor at the Interior Department is drafting a memo on how to proceed with the application. Once the BIA receives the memo -- possibly within 30 to 60 days -- Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn can make a decision.

The tribe plans to use a 10.5-acre site in Park City for a casino. The property was acquired in connection with a land claim settlement.

In a prior case, the tribe won the right to open a casino on a property in Kansas City that was acquired in connection with the same settlement. The law mandates that the land be placed in trust but the federal judge handling the Park City matter declined to order the BIA to make a decision.

Get the Story:
Ruling on Park City casino application may be approaching (The Wichita Eagle 4/3)

Relevant Documents:
Status Report (January 24, 2014)

District Court Decision:
Wyandotte Nation v. Salazar (April 10, 2013)

Related Stories:
Judge won't force ruling on Wyandotte Nation casino in Kansas (04/11)