Fond du Lac Band asked BIA to review casino arrangement

Thursday, March 29, 2012  

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to review a lease for its off-reservation casino in Duluth, Minnesota.

Last year, the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled that the tribe's agreement to share 19 percent of gross revenues from the Fond-du-Luth Casino with the city was invalid. The BIA agreed and said the "rent" that the tribe was paying under a lease constitutes an "unlawful" activity.

Chairwoman Karen Diver said the tribe wants to negotiate a new agreement with the city. She has offered to pay for police, fire protection and other municipal services.

But Mayor Don Ness said the city deserves more money from the tribe. “She would offer a token amount for police and fire protection, but that’s only a small part of the overall benefits the casino receives," he told The Duluth News Tribune, in response to Diver.

Get the Story:
Mayor Ness Reacts to Casino Developments (Northland's News Center 3/28)
Feds threaten to cancel casino deal between Fond du Lac Band, city of Duluth (The Duluth News-Tribune 3/29)

Related Stories:
BIA threatens to cancel lease for Fond du Lac Band casino (3/28)