Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe avoids trial with a new compact

Wednesday, June 29, 2011  

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and the state of South Dakota have agreed to an amendment to the Class III gaming compact.

The tribe will be allowed to offer up to 500 slot machines at the Royal River Casino. The deal averts a trial in federal court that accused the state of negotiating in bad faith.

“This is good for South Dakota and for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) said in a press release. “The gaming landscape in the Sioux Falls area is changing, and this compact allows the tribe to respond to that market. We want to bring more visitors to Flandreau, and I am proud to partner with President Reider and tribal leadership to make that happen.”

A new casino opened just across the border in Iowa, not far from the tribe's casino.

Get the Story:
Tribe wins big in bid to expand Royal River Casino (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/29)
Agreement allows Flandreau tribe to add slot machines; resolves dispute just days before trial (AP 6/28)

Related Stories:
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in mediation for gaming lawsuit (6/24)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe ready for gaming compact trial (6/17)
Native Sun News: New casino puts pressure on South Dakota (6/10)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe compact case headed to trial (5/11)
Native Sun News: Trial set in Flandreau Santee Sioux gaming suit (11/11)