Mississippi governor promises legal action on Choctaw casino

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) said he will pursue legal action to stop the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from building a casino away from its main reservation.

In a letter, Barbour said the casino would harm the state and local communities. He said the 27,000 square-foot facility would not be consistent with the tribe's existing casinos and other gaming in the state.

"Thus, I have requested our state's chief legal officer, Attorney General Jim Hood, to review applicable state and federal laws and regulations, the tribal-state compact, as well as Indian gaming regulations, and then pursue legal action necessary to stop this expansion of tribal gaming in Mississippi," Barbour wrote.

The casino would be located near Sandersville, in Jones County. The site is considered part of the reservation although it is not contiguous to the main reservation.

The site is about 80 miles from tribal headquarters in Philadelphia, where the tribe operates two casinos.

Get the Story:
Barbour asks Choctaws to nix Jones County casino (AP 6/23)
Barbour asks Tribe to halt Jones casino (The Neshoba Democrat 6/22)

Related Stories:
State official questions Mississippi Choctaw casino compact (6/21)
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)
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Mississippi Choctaws planning casino off main reservation (5/5)