A federal judge has given permission for the state of Kansas to reopen its lawsuit over the Wyandotte Nation's out-of-state casino. The state claims the Oklahoma-based tribe cannot engage in gaming on trust land in downtown Kansas City. But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the lawsuit. However, two appellate judges suggested the state be allowed to reopen the case. Judge Richard D. Rogers of the District Court in Topkea agreed in an April 4 decision. The state says the Kansas City site can't be used for a casino since it was taken into trust after the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. But since the land was purchased with land claim settlement funds, it meets an exception in the law. The tribe opened the 7th Street Casino, a Class II facility, in January after surviving years of litigation. Get the Story:
Wyandotte Nation's fight continues (AP 4/16)