Wisconsin compact ruling has everyone guessing

Monday, May 17, 2004  

The Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision striking down a tribal-state gaming compact has all sides in the dispute wondering what will happen next.

Will the casinos have to shut down? No, tribes and state officials say. But Republicans who brought the lawsuit say the new games authorized by the compacts are illegal.

Will there be new compacts? Yes, say tribes and the state. They hope to have an agreement ready by June 30, the date the first revenue-sharing payments under the old compact are due.

The 11 tribes who signed compacts would have paid an estimated $207 million to the state. The money benefits a wide variety of programs, from meals for the elderly to environmental programs.

Get the Story:
Casino case creates a waiting game (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 5/17)
Gaming ruling awaits compromise (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 5/16)
State, tribe plan to reopen talks soon (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 5/15)
Loss of gambling revenue worries state agencies (AP 5/15)
WISCONSIN CASINOS: Gaming issue has been in court before (AP 5/15)