St. Croix Band fears denial of off-reservation casino

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa fears a new Bush administration policy will lead to rejection of its off-reservation casino in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Chairwoman Hazel Hindsley testified at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last week on the change. She said the new policy violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which authorizes off-reservation casinos in certain instances.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, however, says IGRA was not written to "encourage" off-reservation gaming. Assistant secretary Carl Artman rejected 11 tribes that were seeking casinos far from existing reservations.

The St. Croix Band hasn't received a decision yet. The tribe is in court to dispute the policy.

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Beloit Casino Project Leaders Testify in Washington (WREX 3/4)