The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming won't open its new $10.3 million casino until fall of 2005 but tribal leaders already foresee a positive future.

With unemployment running as high as 65 percent and 70 percent of tribal members living below the poverty line, the casino will create about 120 jobs with a payroll of $5 million. The tribe will be able to use gaming revenues to pay for government programs, including health care and education.

The tribe cleared a major hurdle last month when the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the state was negotiating for Class III gaming in bad faith. The tribe is now able to gain approval for lucrative games like slot machines from the Interior Department.

State officials don't think the tribe is entitled to all forms of Class III gaming and plan to appeal. Some are concerned that gaming will lead to more crime, addiction and other social problems.

Get the Story:
Tribe readies to roll the dice (The Casper Star Tribune 12/16)
Governor: Casino could change state (The Casper Star Tribune 12/16)
Gambling can be lucrative, costly (The Casper Star Tribune 12/16)