Nebraska, against tribal casinos
As federal government approved tribal casino operations in Omaha, Nebraska joined the lawsuit against the measure.
US.- The State of Nebraska has rejected the federal government’s decision to allow the installation of a tribal casino near Omaha. The State is joining a lawsuit that was previously presented by Iowa and the city of Council Bluffs to fight the gaming expansion measure near both states.
Attorney General Doug Peterson of Nebraska announced that they have decided [last Wednesday] to prevent the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska from building the casino in Carter Lake, Iowa. The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is reportedly advancing its plans to open a casino in Carter Lake, even if there are still some issues regarding a legal challenge that involves the City of Council Bluffs. The casino would be built at the Ponca Smoke Signals building in Carter Lake, Iowa.
Larry Wright Jr., chairman of the Ponca Tribe, said that tribal leaders are constantly trying to keep members informed of proposed casino details. “We’re moving forward. We’re evaluating and weighing our options,” he said.
In November 2017 the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) ruled in favour of the tribe and said that a casino could be constructed on five acres of land owned in Carter Lake. A month later, Council Bluffs City Attorney Richard Wade filed a complaint in court based on the fact that the tribe does not qualify to use the property to build a casino.
