"Gov. Haley Barbour has announced that he will go to court to seek to block a proposed gaming development by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on tribal land in Jones County.

Such a lawsuit might advance the governor's political goals, but would not be in the interest of Mississippi taxpayers.

The basis of such a lawsuit would, at best, be legally questionable. But there is no question that it is a waste of state resources at a time when the state can't afford such expenditures on trivial political pursuits.

What is more at play is a slot game of politics. The spinning wheels involve large gaming interests in the state under state regulation and the political fortunes of several officials seeking office seeking to gain favor with anti-gambling voters.

Should the Choctaws offer more extensive development in Jones County? Perhaps. The philosophy on destination gaming with amenities has served the state well. However, legally that is up to the Choctaws.

A lawsuit by the governor is a bad bet. The Choctaws appear to be holding all the cards on this one."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Gaming: Lawsuit more about politics (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 7/28)

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