Ho-Chunk Nation remains confident as rival tribe sues over casino

Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Ho-Chunk Nation hosted a flag raising ceremony for Vietnam War veterans on March 29, 2017, at its gaming facility in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. Photo: Ho-Chunk Gaming

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The Ho-Chunk Nation is on track to finish a casino expansion later this year amid controversy in Wisconsin.

President Wilfrid Cleveland said the tribe stands ready defend the $33 million expansion at its facility in Wittenberg. A lawsuit filed by a rival tribe aims to stop the project.

“We are prepared to safeguard our interests and are confident we’ll be successful in court and finally be able to resolve this issue,” Cleveland said in a press release.

The tribe was sued by the Stockbridge-Munsee Community in federal court on Wednesday. The lawsuit claims the Wittenberg casino does not comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

At issue is the date the site was placed in trust. The Ho-Chunk Nation says Wittenberg has long been a part of its reservation but the Stockbridge-Munsee Community argues otherwise.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Community opposes the expansion in Wittenberg out of fear its North Star Casino Resort will see losses. The two facilities are about 16 miles apart.

Read More on the Story:
Ho-Chunk Nation casino facing lawsuit over expansion (WeAreGreenBay.Com 4/19) Casino Sues Rival and State Over Expansion (WSAU 4/19)
Tribe Asks Federal Judge To Block Ho-Chunk Casino Expansion (Wisconsin Public Radio and AP 4/19)