The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is not worried about gaming efforts by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama, Choctaw Chief Phillip Martin says.

The Choctaws operate a successful casino and are in the middle of a major expansion. The Creeks are planning a $300 million casino of their own that would cater to the same market.

The Choctaws were once a client of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who worked with Christian activists like Ralph Reed to oppose Indian gaming efforts by other tribes. Reed and the Christian Coalition of Alabama targeted the Creeks, according to a Senate investigation, and may have used tribal money in their campaign.

Chief Martin at first defended Abramoff but backed off after the investigation revealed Abramoff's double-dealing and use of terms like "monkeys" and "troglodytes" to refer to Native people.

Get the Story:
Choctaws' leader welcomes competition (The Biloxi Sun Herald 5/5)
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Analyst: Miss. gaming poised for upswing (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 5/5)