Indian Gaming > Oklahoma tribes battle over casino land approval

April 22, 2005

Oklahoma tribes battle over casino land approval

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is withholding approval of a Class III gaming compact with the Fort Sill Apache Tribe due to a challenge by the Comanche Nation, The Oklahoman reports.

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe operates a Class II facility in Lawton. The BIA took the land into trust for gaming purposes in 1999.

But in a lawsuit filed last month the Comanche Nation says the decision was illegal. The Comanches say an 1867 treaty requires their approval for any land-into-trust request that affects a former reservation set aside for the Comanches, Apaches and Kiowas.

The compact is on hold pending resolution of the dispute.

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Small tribe fights for share of gaming (The Oklahoman 4/22)
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