Developer still supports UKB casino in Arkansas

Wednesday, July 18, 2007  

The backer of an off-reservation casino sought by the United Keetoowah Band of Oklahoma still supports the project.

Bennie Westphal transferred 10 acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the tribe for the casino. He gave the tribe a spring 2009 deadline to have the land placed in trust.

Westphal said he will continue to support the project even if the deadline passes. He said he was disappointed that the regional Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Eastern Oklahoma has recommended that the land not be placed in trust.

A final decision lies with the BIA in Washington, D.C. "It's more in the hands of the UKB and the people in Washington. I've just about done all that I can do," Westphal told The Northwest Arkansas Morning News.

Get the Story:
Casino Backer Not Giving Up (The Northwest Arkansas Morning News 7/17)