Judge sets hearing on Fort Sill Apache gaming

Friday, August 7, 2009  

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and the National Indian Gaming Commission will be headed to court on August 21.

At issue is the fate of the Apache Homelands Entertainment Center in New Mexico. The tribe has been offering bingo at the facility but the NIGC says the site does not qualify for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The casino site was placed in trust in 2002 and the tribe says it qualifies for an exception regarding newly acquired lands. The court hearing will address 2007 settlement that could lead the government to declare a reservation in New Mexico for the tribe.

The tribe has appealed a notice of violation issued by the NIGC. Chairman Jeff Houser is asking the agency to hold off on the matter until the courts can resolve the settlement issue.

Relevant Documents:
Jeff Houser to Phil Hogen (August 5, 2009) | Fort Sill Apache Letter (July 26, 2009) | Notice of Violation: Fort Sill Apache Tribe (July 21, 2009) | Settlement Agreement (March 8, 2007)