Eastern Shawnee Tribe faces obstacles in Ohio

Tuesday, March 28, 2006  

The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma faces legal, political and other hurdles in its bid to bring gaming to Ohio.

The tribe is eyeing several sites throughout the state. Some communities are open to the idea but others are questioning whether they want a casino in their backyard.

The tribe would need to acquire land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act before opening a casino. No tribe has ever succeeded in doing that for out-of-state land.

The tribe has filed a land claim and said it will settle for gaming rights. The deal would need the approval of the state and Congress but only one tribe has ever opened a casino under a land claim settlement, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Casino gaming is not legal in Ohio. Gov. Bob Taft (R) and other politicians say they oppose the idea.

Get the Story:
Casino plan faces big hurdles (The Akron Beacon Journal 3/28)
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Casino opponents heard (The Canton Repository 3/28)
Council rejects casino lawyer request (The Lima News 3/28)
Clergy see support from elected officials on casino issue (The Lima News 3/28)