Fort Sill Apache Tribe not worried about new rules

Monday, July 28, 2008  

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma says new gaming rules won't apply to its casino site in southern New Mexico and the Bureau of Indian Affairs agrees.

The rules apply to land acquired after the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Casinos are barred on these lands but the rules lay out several exceptions.

The tribe's land was acquired long before the rules were finalized in May. "I think we're grandfathered out," a lawyer for the tribe told The Las Cruces Sun-News.

The National Indian Gaming Commission has said the land doesn't qualify for a casino but the tribe is hoping to use a court settlement to attain a reservation declaration for the site.

Get the Story:
BIA says new rules don't apply to area casino plans (The Las Cruces Sun-News 7/28)