State official questions Mississippi Choctaw casino compact

Monday, June 21, 2010

State Auditor Stacey Pickering claims to be looking into the gaming compact signed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in 1992.

The agreement was signed by the governor and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Yet Pickering says it might be illegal because it doesn't require the tribe to share revenues with the state.

"We're looking at all those legal ramifications of the existing law the existing compact and how their operating in the state of Mississippi right now," Pickering told WLBT-TV. The move is apparently retaliation for the tribe's decision to open a casino in Jones County, where Pickering lives.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bars states from imposing a tax on tribal casino revenue. However, some tribes have agreed to pay for the impacts of gaming and cover the costs of regulations in exchange for a meaningful concession from a state, such as exclusivity for Class III games.

Mississippi allows a wide range of gaming in the state.

Get the Story:
State auditor questions new Jones Co. Casino (WLBT-TV 6/18)
A gamble in Jones County: Choctaws look to build casino in Pine Belt (Mississippi Business Journal 6/20)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Local input needed for Mississippi Choctaw casino (6/14)
Mississippi governor plans to fight proposed Choctaw casino (6/11)
Mississippi Choctaw leaders back casino off main reservation (6/9)
Opinion: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt the community (5/31)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaws look out for their communities (5/24)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt local community (5/21)
Mississippi Choctaw council delays action on casino project (5/20)
Church groups line up to oppose Mississippi Choctaw casino (5/19)
Mississippi Choctaw tribal council delays vote on casino bid (5/11)
Mississippi Choctaw tribal council to vote on casino plans (5/7)
Mississippi Choctaws planning casino off main reservation (5/5)