The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma won approval for a non-binding memorandum of understanding for casino in Lima, Ohio.

The Lima city council voted 5-4 in favor of the deal. An estimated 100 people, many of them against the casino, attended the hearing on Monday in hopes of swaying the decision.

The tribe says the casino will generate jobs and revenue. Opponents say a casino will only harm the community.

The tribe has filed a land claim and hopes to settle for gaming rights. The state is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Lima backs negotiation with tribe for casino (AP 6/21)
Casino opponents show up in droves, council approves agreement (The Lima News 6/20)