Litigation | Openings & Closings

United Keetoowah Band faces deadline on disputed gaming site

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians faces a big deadline to keep its casino open.

Under a settlement with the state, the tribe agreed to close the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino on July 30 if the land at the site isn't placed in trust. So far, the Obama administration hasn't made a decision.

“It will be a terrible blow to the tribe if that doesn’t happen,” attorney Jim McMillin told The Muskogee Phoenix. “The casino is the tribe’s major source of income. Tribal services would be curtailed tremendously if the casino is closed.”

As part of the settlement, the tribe will pay $2 million to the state if the casino keeps operating. If it closes, the tribe only pays $133,720.

Get the Story:
Tribe ordered to suspend gaming (The Muskogee Phoenix 7/11)
Tahlequah casino to close by July 30 if Indian trust decision not obtained (The Oklahoman 7/11)
Judge confirms a deadline for a Keetoowah casino to get trust status or close (The Tulsa World 7/11)
Okla. casino may close if trust issue not decided (AP 7/11)