Fort Sill Apache Tribe halts paper bingo games

Monday, October 5, 2009  

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma stopped offering paper bingo games at its gaming facility in New Mexico.

Chairman Jeff Houser said the tribe will wait until the National Indian Gaming Commission rules on the legality of the Apache Homelands Entertainment Center. The agency agreed not to fine tribe while the issue is considered.

"I'm happy they did that and am looking forward to getting a fair hearing," Houser told the Associated Press.

The NIGC contends the site does not qualify for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The tribe says it is entitled to a reservation in southern New Mexico, its ancestral homeland.

Get the Story:
Fort Sill Apache Tribe ceases bingo games at southern New Mexico casino (AP 10/5)

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)