Tonkawa Tribe insists casino opening on track

Wednesday, April 5, 2006  

The Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma says its new Native Lights Casino will open soon despite comments by a National Indian Gaming Commission official that suggested the contrary.

The tribe was fined by the NIGC and separately by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of Treasury. Numerous violations of gaming and banking laws were alleged over mob infiltration of the tribe's gaming enterprise.

Gordon Warrior, the tribe's vice president, said the tribe is going to pay $1 million under a settlement negotiated with the NIGC. He told The Ark City Traveler that the NIGC is going to allow the tribe to open the new casino in order to generate revenues to pay the fine.

But in an article published by The Oklahoman, NIGC official Chuck Choney, a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, said the new casino or the old Tonkawa Casino won't be opening anytime soon.

Get the Story:
When will Native Lights be turned on? (The Ark City Traveler 4/4)
Inquiry uncovers casino scheme (The Oklahoman 4/2)
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