Indian Gaming

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is set to close its gaming facility on Friday.

The tribe has operated the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah for more than 25 years. But the land is not in trust and may not ever be placed in trust due to opposition from the Cherokee Nation.

"This administration is working to resolve this situation," UKB Assistant Chief Charles Locust said in a statement, The Tulsa World reported. "We will continue on with our government to provide jobs, benefits, scholarships, vouchers and whatever else we can to our people.

"But we will do this with our heads held high and never look down on ourselves," Locust said. "We are still proud Keetoowah people. We will continue to have a strong government."

The Cherokees won a preliminary injunction that prevents the Bureau of Indian Affairs from placing the UKB casino site in trust. The Cherokees say they are the only tribe that can exercise jurisdiction in the former Cherokee reservation.

Get the Story:
Court of Appeals denies UKB stay appeal (The Cherokee Phoenix 8/28)
Court rejects late Keetoowah bid to keep casino open (The Tulsa World 8/28)

10th Circuit Decision:
Cherokee Nation v. Jewell (August 26, 2013)

Related Stories:
10th Circuit won't help United Keetoowah Band with casino (8/27)