Opposition from Minnesota's gaming tribes failed to stop the state House Gaming Division from approving a bill for a tribal-state casino in the Twin Cities.

Leaders of the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake bands of Ojibwe testified in support of the proposal. But Doreen Hagen, president of the Prairie Island Indian Community, which owns a successful metro-area casino, criticized the measure as unfair to all tribes.

The committee approved the measure after rejecting an amendment that would have required an amendment in the host community. A separate bill for to add slot machines to a racetrack was also approved.

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Casino, racino plans advance (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 3/19)
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Gambling bills pass committee test (Minnesota Public Radio 3/19)
With casino proposal, Pawlenty tries political balancing act (AP 3/19)
Gambling proposals face long-awaited vote (AP 3/19)