Wyoming Tribe Pushes for Own Casino

As reported by the Casper Star-Tribune: " -- The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is moving aggressively toward having its own casino and intends to have a site for the facility selected by the end of September, a tribal leader said.

"Elsewhere on the Wind River Indian Reservation, the Northern Arapaho Tribe plans to build a casino near Riverton. Tribal representatives will meet with U.S. Interior Department officials next week to learn how the department wants to proceed with and regulate the Las Vegas-style casino.

"Ivan Posey, chairman of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council, said in a Wednesday interview that the business council is looking at three potential sites for an Eastern Shoshone casino and has the finances lined up to proceed with architect selection once a final site is selected.

"…Meanwhile, Gov. Dave Freudenthal, speaking at his weekly news conference Wednesday, said he has designated a team to negotiate with the Eastern Shoshone on behalf of the state regarding casino plans and has asked Fremont County to send a delegate to those talks.

"The state's failure to reach a gambling compact with the Northern Arapaho prompted litigation that resulted in that tribe receiving court approval for Las Vegas-style gambling. Instead of being based on an agreement with the state -- the way most tribal casinos across the country have sprung up -- the Arapaho casino will operate under a compact between the tribe and the Interior Department…"