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Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs rejects amendment to Wisconsin`s compact with Potawatomi
Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs rejects amendment to Wisconsin`s compact with Potawatomi
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A jackpot decision, or a $100 million gamble? The Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs handed down a decision on Friday, January 9th that greatly impacts a proposed casino in Kenosha. The ruling could have a huge impact on Governor Scott Walker's decision to build or not to build a Kenosha casino.
The Bureau says it is rejecting an amendment to Wisconsin's compact with the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe.
Proposed Hard Rock Casino for Kenosha
If the amendment had been approved, it may have put the state on the hook to make up any money the Potawatomi Tribe lost -- if the Menominee Tribe built a Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha. A risk, that would likely cause the governor to kill the plan.
At first, the Menominee Tribe promised they would pay for any lost income, but have since back tracked.
The Menominee Tribe is celebrating the move, saying the governor can decide what's best for the entire state, with a clear path to negotiations.
The Potawatomi Tribe says Friday's decision does nothing to clarify the state's risk.
Brian Nemoir, is the spokesperson for Enough Already Wisconsin -- the group advocates against new gaming in the state. He says while the news is boosting Kenosha supporters, it doesn't make the governor's choice any easier.
"If there is a big winner today, it's not the state of Wisconsin, it's not the BIA, it's not Kenosha, it's not the other tribes, it's lawyers who are going to are going to end up in the courts, fighting this out. And I don't expect a decision on this anytime soon," said Nemoir.
With the amendment being rejected, a Menominee tribal spokesperson thinks it'll be easier for Gov. Scott Walker to approve the Kenosha casino. The governor has until February 19th to make a final decision.
The Hard Rock Casino Project team released this statement on the BIA decision:
Forest County Potawatomi Attorney General Jeff Crawford issued this statement on the BIA decision:
Brian Nemoir, Executive Director of Enough Already! WI, a coalition opposed to the expansion of off-reservation gaming said the following in a statement:
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