Shakopee Tribe considers liquor sales amid casino debate

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community might sell liquor at its successful casino if lawmakers authorize non-Indian gaming, the tribe's legal counsel said.

Mystic Lake Casino is the most popular Indian gaming facility in the state. It's also the closest to the Twin Cities, so liquor sales there would be highly lucrative.

Lawmakers are considering three bills to allow gaming at bars, restaurants and racetracks. The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association organized a rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday to address tribal opposition to the proposals.

Police estimates put the crowd at about 1,500 but the tribes said about 3,000 people were there.

Get the Story:
Tribe raises stakes in gambling battle (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 4/28)
Casino supporters rally against more gambling (The South Washington County Bulletin 4/28)

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Minnesota tribes oppose bid to allow non-Indian gaming (4/27)
Minnesota Indian Gaming Association off to State Capitol (4/26)
Marge Anderson: Expanded gaming will harm Minnesota tribes (4/6)
Editorial: Joint tribal-state casino a better idea for Minnesota (3/29)
Opinion: There's definitely room for more gaming in Minnesota (3/28)
Column: Breaking the monopoly of tribal gaming in Minnesota (3/25)
Editorial: It's time to renegotiate casino compacts in Minnesota (3/8)
MPR: Minnesota tribes oppose expansion of non-Indian gaming (2/24)