Interior rejects Class III games for Nebraska tribes

Tuesday, July 20, 2004  

The Department of Interior has informed the Santee Sioux Tribe that most Class III games cannot be operated a tribal casinos even if they are not completely outlawed in the state.

The tribe argued that Nebraska law permits casino nights, card games and other forms of gambling. But Interior replied that allowing a tribe to operate the games is different from "promotions or giveaways," according to the Associated Press.

In other states, including Connecticut, casino nights have opened the doors for tribes to offer Class III games. Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribes can operate "such" games allowed under state law.

The Santee Sioux Tribe owns a small casino where electronic Class II machines are offered. Federal prosecutors went after the tribe but lost court rulings favoring the machines. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Bush administration's appeal of the case.

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Ruling limits games played at tribal casino (AP 7/20)