Indian Gaming > Tribal member laments forced closure of casino

October 28, 2005

Tribal member laments forced closure of casino

A member of the Spokane Tribe of Washington has been forced to shut down his casino on the reservation.

Ronald "Buzz" Gutierrez has run the Double Eagle Casino since 1986. It is one of the oldest Indian gaming facilities, The Spokesman-Review reported.

Gutierrez has been paying 60 percent of net revenues to the tribe and paying an annual assessment to the National Indian Gaming Commission. He said he has contributed $25 million to the tribe.

But the tribal gaming commission shut him down, claiming he installed Class II machines without approval. The tribe also says he failed to pay his NIGC fee.

Gutierrez refutes the charges. He hopes to reopen the facility and put 19 people back to work.

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Pioneer tribal casino closed (AP 10/28)
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