Appeals court hears gaming land-into-trust case

Friday, October 19, 2007  

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will be hearing oral arguments on Friday in a gaming land-into-trust case.

A group called Michigan Gambling Opposition wants to block the Interior Department from acquiring 147 acres in trust for the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians. The tribe plans to use the land for a $200 million casino.

A federal judge ruled for the tribe in February, saying MichGO's challenge to the environmental analysis for the casino lacked merit. The judge also rejected a challenge to a provision in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that applies to newly recognized tribes like the Gun Lake Band.

The D.C. Circuit already ruled in a similar case involving another Michigan tribe whose casino opened in August.

Get the Story:
Allegan casino case goes before appeals court (The Grand Rapids Press 10/18)