Ho-Chunk Nation ready to move forward with off-reservation casino

Monday, March 18, 2019  

The Ho-Chunk Nation and its supporters in Wisconsin remain optimistic as they wait for movement on the tribe's proposed off-reservation casino in Wisconsin.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs released the draft environmental impact statement for the project in November. Supporters believe the final document will be released sometime in May, The Beloit Daily News reported.

"There aren't any current obstacles to meeting that date short of another government shutdown," Beloit City Manager Lori Curtis Luther told the paper.

The tribe is pursuing the $400 million casino in Beloit under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law requires approval from the state governor in addition to the BIA.

"We're patient and persistent so whenever the approval process wraps up, we will be ready," Collin Price, the tribe's public relations officer, told the paper.

The only two-part determination casino in Wisconsin is operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community. The tribe in fact was the first to complete both steps of the process back in 2000.

The BIA approved a two-part determination for the Menominee Nation only for the tribe to be rejected by the governor four years ago. The Ho-Chunk Nation and the Forest County Potawatomi Community opposed the project.

Nationally, fewer than 10 tribes have completed both steps of the process, which typically takes several years to complete.

Casino advance projected (The Beloit Daily News March 14, 2019)
How Many Casinos Could The Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois Market Support? (WUVM March 7, 2019)
Some Residents Thrilled, Others Leery Of Proposed Beloit Casino (WUVM March 6, 2019)
As Beloit Proposal Looms, A Look At Why The Kenosha Casino Deal Didn't Work Out (WUVM March 6, 2019)

Our Views: Beloit won't be getting rich quick (The Janesville Gazette February 16, 2019)

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ho-Chunk Nation Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, City of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin (November 9, 2018)
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ho-Chunk Nation Beloit Casino Project, City of Beloit, Rock County, WI (November 26, 2012)

Ho-Chunk Nation announces plans for expansion of gaming facility (February 5, 2019)
Ho-Chunk Nation sees support for off-reservation casino (December 13, 2018)
Public hearings set for two off-reservation casinos in Midwest (December 10, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation prepares for public hearing on casino project (November 19, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation takes step forward with off-reservation casino (November 12, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation still waiting for movement on off-reservation casino (April 24, 2018)
Candidate vows to approve Ho-Chunk Nation off-reservation casino (February 8, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation still waiting for action on off-reservation casino (February 6, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation committed to off-reservation casino despite uncertainty in Trump era (December 19, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation sees support from Congress in bid for off-reservation casino (September 25, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation outlines optimistic schedule for stalled off-reservation casino (August 9, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation sees more support for off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (July 21, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation remains hopeful for off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (July 19, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation still pushing off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (January 3, 2017)