Opinion: Menominee Nation exploits loophole to pursue casino

A decade-long quest for a casino by the Menominee tribe of northern Wisconsin in southern Kenosha is a good case study. The proposed casino is 160 miles from the tribe’s reservation.

The casino is popular in Kenosha. But Lake County, Illinois, six miles from the casino site, appealed to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, asking it to reconsider eight-year-old environmental impact statement data, as residents there are concerned about traffic, job and economic losses, and problem gamblers.

Lake County’s appeal was ignored, and the feds approved the Menominee tribe’s request. The legitimate concerns of a community 6 miles from a proposed $808 million casino lost out to the semi-sovereign community that will run it from 160 miles away.

It’s not known how much the Menominee tribe will actually benefit from a casino, as it’s set to be run by Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole tribe of Florida. (There are no Seminole reservations in Wisconsin.) Richard Monette, a casino law expert at University of Wisconsin-Madison, estimates the Florida tribe could take 30 to 40 percent of the casino’s total revenue.

Since the feds have green-lighted the casino, final approval, by law, is left to Governor Scott Walker. Facing a close reelection battle, Walker sought a 180-day extension to delay his decision, initially required on August 23, until after the race is decided—not a badge of courage.