Pastors to discuss Mississippi Choctaw casino plan

Wednesday, June 28, 2006  

Pastors in Jackson County are meeting today to discuss the proposed off-reservation Mississippi Choctaw casino.

Local pastors oppose gaming but have never taken a public stance on it. That may change now that the tribe is seeking to open a casino more than 200 miles from the reservation.

The tribe owns land in Ocean Springs, on the Gulf Coast. Some of the land is in trust but can't be used for gaming without gaining local and state support. The casino would be located right off Interstate 57.

The tribe spent $5.2 million on Christian conservative activist Ralph Reed to oppose gaming proposals in the Gulf Coast. The money was funneled through non-profit organizations to mask the tribe's involvement, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee said in a report last week.

Get the Story:
Jackson County pastors to consider casino concerns (The Mississippi Press 6/27)