Nebraska sues NIGC over Ponca casino in Iowa

Thursday, January 31, 2008  

Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning on Wednesday sued the National Indian Gaming Commission for allowing the Ponca Tribe to open a casino in Iowa.

Bruning is upset that the tribe, whose headquarters are in Nebraska, might open a casino across the border in Carter Lake, Iowa. He filed suit in the federal court for the Southern District of Iowa.

The state of Iowa is also considering a lawsuit. Iowa had threatened litigation over the Ponca Tribe's 5-acre parcel in Carter Lake until the tribe promised not to use the site for gaming.

But the tribe changed its mind and sought approval from the NIGC. On December 31, 2007, the agency said the Poncas qualified for a restored tribes exception under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Get the Story:
Bruning challenges ruling that allows Ponca Tribe casino (The Lincoln Journal Star 1/31)
Bruning challenges tribe's right to build casino (The Omaha World-Herald 1/31)
Nebraska attorney general challenges Ponca Tribe’s Iowa casino plans (AP 1/30)