Judge vows ruling on Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino

Friday, February 18, 2011  

A federal judge plans to issue a ruling in the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino case in the "next few weeks," The Arizona Republic reported.

Judge David Campbell heard from the city of Glendale and the Gila River Indian Community in their lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They are trying to block the BIA from placing 54 acres in trust for the Tohono O'odham Nation.

The tribe plans to use the land for a casino. But the Obama administration doesn't plan on issuing a separate decision on the eligibility for gaming at the site.

"Federal approval is not needed to game," Kristofor Swanson, a Department of Justice attorney said in court, the Republic reported.

The BIA says it is required to take the land into trust because the tribe acquired it under a land claim settlement act.

Get the Story:
Battle over proposed casino near Glendale heating up in courts (The Arizona Republic 2/18)

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