The Osage Nation of Oklahoma plans to submit land-into-trust applications for its gaming sites, Chief Jim Gray said.
Three of the tribe's Million Dollar Elm casinos -- including the largest one in Tulsa -- are not on trust land. That means they might not be operating legally under the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
The National Indian Gaming Commission previously issued an opinion that said one casino site was legal because it was within the tribe's reservation.
However, the 10th Circuit Court of
Appeals subsequently ruled that the reservation, as it was defined by an act of Congress in 1872, no longer exists.
A tribal lawmaker previously said the three casinos are largest grossing facilities. The Oklahoma Native American Caucus said the casinos contribute $27 million to the state under the Class III gaming compact.
"Although this lawsuit was brought by an Indian nation, we believe this is not solely an 'Indian issue.' The real economic facts reveal our State relies heavily on the Osage Reservation's continued recognition and legal statutes as the Nation's Indian Country," the Caucus said in a letter to Gov. Brad Henry (D), The Tulsa World reported.
Get the Story:Indian lawmakers urge resolution to tax dispute (The Tulsa World 5/28) 10th Circuit Decision:
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