The casino owned by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota is finally going into trust, tribal and local officials say.

The Shooting Star Casino opened in 1992. It is located on fee land within reservation boundaries. According to two recent opinions from the National Indian Gaming Commission, the casino is therefore legal under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. [White Earth Opinion | Osage Opinion].

The tribe has been paying property taxes to Mahnomen County. Local officials fear the loss of $900,000 to $1 million a year will hurt services. The tribe says it will make some payments in lieu of taxes but nowhere near the $1 million amount.

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Loss of biggest taxpayer could be 'devastating' to county (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/15)
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