Casino Gambling Opponents Request Vote on Choctaw Casino

Challengers of a new casino gambling resort proposed by the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi requested local decision makers to plan a vote on the matter after January, over 1 year sooner than the tribesmen have applied for. The Choctaw indian tribe asked local officials for a vote in November of 2008.

The vote next spring would decide whether there is sufficient voter backing for a multi-million dollar casino gambling resort planned in Mississippi near I-10 and highway 57.

Coast Businesses for Fair Play, a group made up of casino insiders from 2 key Mississippi counties, prefer a vote as early as March of 2007.

The vote would be non-binding, which means the Choctaws could build their casino gambling resort even if the public does not support it.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the governor must concur with the federal government's choice to allow Indian gaming in the state.

While supervisors have not stated their position on legalizing gambling in Jackson County, Gov. Haley Barbour has said he opposes it because of local voters' previous rejection of casinos.

Chief Phillip Martin has proposed a casino gambling resort that includes an 1100-room luxury hotel, fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a movie theater. The new resort would also have a 150-pad RV park, 50,000 sq. foot convention center, 25,000 sq. feet of retail stores, a gas station and parking for up to 4500 automobiles.



2006-10-23