Indian Gaming > Editorial: Let voters decide on Choctaw casino

October 16, 2006

Editorial: Let voters decide on Choctaw casino

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"The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has every historical justification to push the envelope of its gaming compact with the state to the breaking point on its property in Jackson County.

But in what is obviously a blatant case of "reservation shopping" - where an Indian tribe acquires land followed by legal steps to having the land declared reservation lands by the federal government - the Choctaws are seeking to be able to operate a casino gaming operation in a county that has twice rejected legalized gaming in voter referendums.

Set aside the fact that the state has no business allowing the Choctaws to operate a casino in Jackson County that is not regulated and taxed by the state in the same manner as the existing Gulf Coast casino industry. But the folly of that is exacerbated by the fact that Jackson County voters have made clear that they aren't interested in having the casino industry as part of the fabric of their communities."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Choctaw casino: Let county voters decide (The Jackson Clarion Ledger 10/16)