Indian Gaming > Editorial: Choctaw Chief's bad casino proposal

May 22, 2006

Editorial: Choctaw Chief's bad casino proposal

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"Chief Phillip Martin of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is considering placing a very, very bad bet in the South Mississippi casino market. We cannot overemphasize how strongly we hope that he reconsiders.

For years, Martin has permitted tribal employees to give the impression that the Choctaws were not interested in operating a casino in Jackson County.

Now Martin admits that he is toying with the idea of building a casino on an industrial site the Choctaws own on Mississippi 57 just south of the highway's intersection with Interstate 10 in Jackson County.

If Martin wants to enter the South Mississippi casino market, there are plenty of legitimate sites available in Hancock and Harrison counties.

Of course, that would mean going slot-to-slot with other casino operators, and Martin does not fancy that competitive arrangement.

He would rather toss a casino into Jackson County, where casinos have been consistently rejected by voters over the years.

He would do so by parlaying his tribal status to create an island of sovereignty in or near the Sunplex Industrial Park where he could do pretty much as he pleases.

He would not have to pay taxes.

He would not be subject to the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the laws, rules and regulations it enforces and the procedures it has established."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Choctaws should not use their tribal status to circumvent gaming law in South Mississippi (The Biloxi Sun Herald 5/21)