The Chickasaw Nation plans to seek trust status for a 53-acre shopping center the tribe is buying in Newcastle, The Oklahoman reported.

The tribe plans to use some of the land as a training facility for its gaming operations. Other shopping center occupants will lease from the tribe.

The tribe's land practices have come under scrutiny. The tribe has opened a slew of gaming facilities on land that was taken into trust after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act without seeking an exception under the law.

Tribal legislators are barred from disclosing the purchase prices of the tribe's land acquisitions. The property is valued at $1.45 million, The Oklahoman reported.

Get the Story:
Tribe hedging bet in Newcastle center (The Oklahoman 3/18)
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Relevant Links:
Chickasaw Nation - http://www.chickasawnation-nsn.gov

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