The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate has negotiated changes to its Class III gaming compact with the state of South Dakota.
The agreement, if approved at the state and federal level, authorizes the tribe to offer up to 1,000 slot machines at the Dakota Sioux Casino. That's an increase from the 750 machines authorized by the tribe's 2012 compact. Additionally, the updated compact changes the payments associated with the slot machines, The Aberdeen American News reported. For example, the tribe would pay $170,000 if 750 machines are in operation or $325,000 if 1,000 machines are in operation. The payments are distributed to Codington County and Roberts County to cover services provided to the casino. The South Dakota Commission on Gaming will be holding two public hearings to discuss the compact. Both meetings take place on November 20. Once the compact is finalized at the state level it can be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review. Most of the Class III gaming compacts in South Dakota allow tribes to operate up to 250 slot machines. Some tribes have added more machines after negotiating new agreements with the state.