The National Indian Gaming Commission is being asked to stop the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from building a new casino.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R) said the tribe has not informed the NIGC of its plans for the casino. He claims notice is required under facility license standards that were finalized during the Bush administration.

"I wanted you to be aware that I am opposed to the recent decision by the leaders of the MBCI to move forward with these plans to expand gaming onto tribal lands for the reasons I have mentioned, especially since the Tribe has done little or nothing to identify environmental, public health and safety issues in the area, much less address them," Barbour said in the letter to NIGC Chairwoman Tracie Stevens.

"I call on you, as Chair of the Indian Gaming Commission, to order that further construction on this site cease, in part, to ensure that the environment is protected and that all public health and safety concerns are addressed," Barbour said.

The tribe is moving forward with the casino near Sandersville, in Jones County. The site is about 80 miles from tribal headquarters in Philadelphia, where the tribe operates two casinos, but the land is still considered part of the reservation.

Get the Story:
Barbour ratchets up effort to block gaming facility (The Memphis Commercial Appeal 7/16)
Barbour asks federal Indian Gaming Commission to halt casino construction (The Neshoba Democrat 7/15)

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