Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal for an urban casino in the Twin Cities is being questioned by lawmakers and tribal leaders.

Republican state Sen. Dick Day said the casino was "dead on arrival" unless it was located at an existing race track or another track under development. Southwest Casino Corp., which manages a casino for the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, is behind the new track.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe said Pawlenty's requirement for a $200 million license payment upfront was realistic. "If we had access to that kind of money we certainly wouldn't be pitching a casino in the metro area," George Goggleye told the Associated Press. The tribe is one of three that has been talking with Pawlenty about an urban casino

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Associations, which represents other gaming tribes in the state, opposes the urban casino.

Get the Story:
Pawlenty's casino plan is met with skepticism (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 1/27)
pwlat
Rolling the dice on gambling revenue (Minnesota Public Radio 1/26)
Partner tribes question Pawlenty casino fee (AP 1/26)
Summary Box: Partner tribes question Pawlenty casino fee (AP 1/26)