Governor discusses urban casino with rural tribes

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) went to the White Earth Ojibwe Reservation on Thursday to discuss an urban casino proposed by three tribes.

Pawlenty met with representatives of the White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake bands but said no decision was made about the project. He noted that nine other tribes in the state oppose an urban casino.

The three tribes are the most populous but are the poorest. They haven't benefited as much from gaming as smaller tribes whose casinos are located near urban centers.

The three tribes want to open a casino in the Twin Cities and share revenues with the state. Pawlenty is trying to get other tribes to share $350 million a year but tribes have balked.

Get the Story:
MINNESOTA: Pawlenty discusses casino with northern tribes (The Grand Forks Herald 1/7)
Pawlenty urges tribes to plan casino (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 1/7)
Pawlenty, 3 Indian bands discuss casino (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 1/7)
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