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The Bureau of Indian Affairs has started the process to take land into trust for an off-reservation casino sought by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

The tribe owns 100 acres in Ocean Springs. The site is off Interstate 10, more than 300 miles from the reservation.

Of the 100 acres, 40 acres is already in trust. To use the entire site for gaming, the tribe needs to follow Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The BIA published notice of the land-into-trust application on Tuesday. The agency plans to hold a public hearing October 18 in Ocean Springs.

Local and state officials oppose the project. Under the two-part determination process in IGRA, the state governor has the power to veto the casino.

Get the Story:
Feds start approval process of Indian Coast casino (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 10/6)
Bureau to hold hearing on casino (The Biloxi Sun Herald 10/6)
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