Ponca Tribe won't drop casino bid despite ruling

Thursday, December 4, 2008  

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska says it will continue to pursue a casino in Iowa even after a federal judge said the tribe promised not to engage in gaming there.

The tribe acquired a 5-acre parcel in the city of Carter Lake. The land was taken into trust after 1998 but the National Indian Gaming Commission said it qualified for gaming due to the tribe's restored status.

In a November 28 ruling, Judge Charles Wolle said the NIGC didn't have the authority to make a determination about the site. He also said the NIGC failed to take into account the tribe's promise not to engage in gaming.

"U.S. District Court Judge Charles Wolle's disappointing ruling against the National Indian Gaming Commission's authority won't withstand scrutiny, and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will continue pursuit of our world-class casino resort in Carter Lake, Iowa," Ponca Chairman Larry Wright said in a statement quoted by The Omaha World-Herald.

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Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will continue to pursue Carter Lake casino (The Omaha World-Herald 12/4)