Mississippi governor plans to fight proposed Choctaw casino

Friday, June 11, 2010  

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) says the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians shouldn't build a casino away from its main reservation.

The tribe plans a 27,000 square-foot facility near Sandersville, in Jones County. The site is about 80 miles from tribal headquarters in Philadelphia, where the tribe operates two casinos.

The land is already in trust and is considered part of the tribe's reservation. But Barbour said he will fight the project although a spokesperson declined to elaborate.

Barbour previously opposed the tribe's attempt to open another casino away from the main reservation. That site faced a number of legal issues since it was acquired after the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. in 1988.

Get the Story:
Barbour and Bryant oppose Jones County casino (WDAM-TV 6/10)
Mississippi congressman asks Choctaws to drop plan for casino on tribal lands in Jones County (AP 6/11)

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Mississippi Choctaw leaders back casino off main reservation (6/9)
Opinion: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt the community (5/31)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaws look out for their communities (5/24)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt local community (5/21)
Mississippi Choctaw council delays action on casino project (5/20)
Church groups line up to oppose Mississippi Choctaw casino (5/19)
Mississippi Choctaw tribal council delays vote on casino bid (5/11)
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Mississippi Choctaws planning casino off main reservation (5/5)