Cherokee Nation announces surprise of its own

Thursday, May 6, 2004  

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma plans to open a casino near a racetrack recently purchased by the Choctaw Nation.

The Choctaws claimed to have outsmarted the Cherokees with the purchase of the Blue Ribbon Downs. But the Cherokee Chief Chad Smith told The Oklahoman that his tribe's casino will be "much more profitable" than the track.

Adding to the rivalry, the Cherokees have bought a 33-room motel, the paper reported. The tribe is looking for more land for parking and a possible expansion.

The Cherokees were upset that the Choctaws were essentially bragging about the track, which is within Cherokee territory.

Get the Story:
Cherokees plan casino near Blue Ribbon Downs (The Daily Oklahoman 5/6)
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