Leaders of the United Keetoowah Band of Oklahoma went to Alabama on Thursday to talk about their plans for 69 acres in Fort Payne. They say gaming is not involved.

"We have no plans whatsoever. We hadn't even thought about a casino," Chief George Wickliffe said, WAFF-TV reported.

Wickliffe and other UKB leaders said the tribe will break ground on a cultural center within four months. The main goal is to preserve the land, which sits next to a burial ground. Wickliffe would not rule out a casino, according to news reports.

Lawmakers say they will oppose the tribe's gaming plans and have already contacted the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Get the Story:
Indian tribe says not interested in gambling here (WAFF 1/19)
Tribe ready to start cultural center, won't rule out casino (The Huntsville Times 1/20)
286 DAILY readers say they'll play if Fort Payne gets casino (The Decatur Daily 1/20)
Talk of casino still ongoing (The Times-Journal 1/20)