Ponca Tribe's gaming approval stirs debate in Iowa

Friday, January 18, 2008

State officials and gaming executives in Iowa are worried that the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska could open a casino in the state.

The tribe has trust land in Carter Lake, near the Nebraska border. The National Indian Gaming Commission said the site could be used for a casino even though the previously promised it wouldn't.

State officials had threatened a lawsuit against the tribe's land-into-trust application until the tribe agreed not to pursue gaming. But now Iowa attorney general Tom Miller is considering a legal challenge.

Class III gaming is legal in Iowa and three tribes operate casinos there. The Ponca Tribe does not have a Class III compact.

Get the Story:
Tribal casino could pull tax money from Iowa (The Des Moines Register 1/18)
Ponca Tribe mulling Carter Lake casino (The Lincoln Journal Star 1/18)
Ponca Tribe eyes casino for Carter Lake (The Omaha World-Herald 1/18)
Ponca Tribe considering C.L. casino (The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil 1/18)