Indian Gaming

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is moving forward with an off-reservation casino application for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

The tribe wants to build a $34 million casino on a 91-acre site that was taken into trust in 2011. The site is only five miles from the exterior border of the reservation.

Since the land was taken into trust after the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the application is being processed under the two-part determination provisions of the law. That means Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) gets veto authority over the project.

IGRA also requires BIA to consult "nearby Indian tribes" for the two-part determination process. A letter was sent to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, whose Lode Star Casino is about 25 miles from the Lower Brule Sioux site.

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe operates the Golden Buffalo Casino but will close the facility if the application is approved.

Get the Story:
Comments sought for proposed casino near Chamberlain (The Mitchell Daily Republic 7/11)

Related Stories:
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe submits off-reservation casino bid (5/23)