Arkansas governor opposes Keetoowah casino

Friday, April 20, 2007  

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said he won't support the United Keetoowah Band's proposed casino.

The tribe is based in Oklahoma but wants 10 acres in Arkansas placed in trust for a $131 million casino. The land is located in Fort Smith, not far from the state border.

The land-into-trust application was filed a year ago amid Congressional attempts to restrict off-reservation gaming. The Bureau of Indian Affairs hasn't made a decision but Beebe said he opposes the project.

Under the two-part determination process of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the state governor has the ability to veto off-reservation casinos. In the history of Indian gaming, only four governors have agreed to such development.

Get the Story:
Beebe: Indian Ccasino In Fort Smith Would Defy Will Of People (The Morning News 4/20)
Governor says predecessor notified BIA of state's opposition to gaming (AP 4/20)