"Gov. Haley Barbour and a solid majority of Jackson County voters have said they don't want casino gaming in their county

But Mississippi Band of Choctaws Miko Beasley Denson plans to move forward with plans for a $375 million casino on 100 acres in Jackson County despite a loss in Tuesday's election.

In the nonbinding referendum by Jackson County voters, just over 60 percent of voters or 18,435 cast ballots against allowing a tribal casino in the county. Those numbers are similar to a 1990 referendum when a 60 percent majority rejected gaming in the county.

The tribe shouldn't enjoy an advantage over commercial casinos on the Gulf Coast. If they want to operate there, they should have to compete on a level playing field with the commercial casinos as another Indian tribe is currently preparing to do.

The tribe should respect the will of the voters in Jackson County."

Get the Story:
Choctaw casino: Tribe must obey the law (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 11/10)

More Opinions:
Our Opinion: Every vote should count (The Mississippi Press 11/10)
Our Opinion: Leach's late call on board'ssecret' meetings (The Mississippi Press 11/11)