Section 20 of IGRA contains a handful of exceptions that allow tribes to open casinos on land placed in trust after 1988. At the same time, he expressed opposition to a bill that could help all tribes restore their homelands quicker. (R-Oklahoma), just last month said the BIA was still treating some Oklahoma tribes unfairly when it comes to the land-into-trust process. As a result, one of the Chickasaw Nation's land-into-trust applications has sat in limbo in the agency's Washington, D.C., office for more than a decade.ĭespite the scrutiny, Sen. In one instance, it looked like approval only took a day.īut after Indianz.Com and other Oklahoma tribes whose applications weren't treated in a similar fashion raised questions about the practice, the BIA began to take a closer look at the situation. In the past, the agency has approved the tribe's land-into-trust applications after less than a month of review. The tribe also enjoys a close relationship with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs and regional BIA office.

The tribe now operates more casinos than any other in Oklahoma or the United States. Utilized the exception repeatedly to expand their gaming empire - back in 2003, Indianz.Com counted 11 facilities on newly acquired lands. Generally, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bars casinos on land placed in trust after 1988.īut an exception in Section 20 of the law allows gaming on properties located within the boundaries a former reservation in Oklahoma. And the Choctaws operate a casino in Durant, about 14 miles east of the lake. The Chickasaws already operate the Texoma Casino just a short distance to the west of the lake. The property falls within Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation territory and it's located near the Texas border, an area crucial for both tribes' gaming enterprises. The project depends on approval of a land-into-trust application for the site.

“We look forward to working with the state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.”

'We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction,” Chickasaw Gov. The development will occur on 50 acres, which the tribe just acquired from the state for $4.2 million. Plans call for a hotel, a restaurant, a gift shop and a casino with up to 300 gaming machines at Lake Texoma. The Chickasaw Nation wants to open a casino resort at a popular lake in Oklahoma. And operates the WinStar World Casino and Resort, in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

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