Tribe continues with casino plans

November 30

In Wyoming, the Northern Arapaho Tribe is preparing to continue with its plans to bring high-stakes casino gambling to a proposed area near Riverton.

Yesterday, a panel of three judges from the federal appeals court came to a ruling in the tribe's legal dispute with the state of Wyoming that has been going on for about four years. The dispute was over the type of gambling the tribe could conduct. The appeals court ruled that the state had bargained in bad faith with the tribe, overturning a lower court ruling which said that the state did not have to bargain with the tribe over the type of casino gambling.

The case was sent back to the US District Court in that state by the appeals court. Now, representatives from the tribe and the state are fighting over what should happen at this point.

For almost two years now, the Northern Arapaho Tribe has been working with the U.S. Department of Interior. At this time, it is not known whether the Interior Department will send the case back to the state or whether the state will have to hold negotiations all over again.

It is said that state officials won't be a party to the tribe's discussions with the federal government regarding the types of games that will be allowed under federal law.

At the current time, the tribe runs 789 Bingo, located just south of Riverton. Right now, they are only permitted to host bingo and pull tabs. Because of this limitation, no compact with the state is needed.

Under the new ruling, the tribe is now ready give the green light to plans regarding the new facility to be named the Wind River Casino. The casino could open as soon as a year from now.

It is reported that the new casino would create over 200 new jobs. It is also reported that yearly wages would be between $25,000 and $200,000. The higher salaries obviously are for well experienced casino management.

New developments are to be announced in about a week, after the state looks into its options.