Indian Gaming

The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin might change the way it distributes gaming per capita payments to young tribal members.

Payments are made every quarter but minors don't get their share until they turn 18 and earn a high school diploma. That comes to about $200,000 before taxes, a large sum that some wished they had used more wisely.

“I was way too young and reckless to receive that kind of money,” said one tribal member who responded to a survey about the proposed changes, The Wisconsin State Journal reported. “Seemed like I had so much that it would never run out. Everyone wanted to borrow and no one paid back. Wish I was older when I got the money.”

The tribe is considering options to dole out the payments over time, based on educational achievement or other goals. The Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature has the power to approve changes to the tribe's revenue allocation plan.

The plan would then be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review.

Get the Story:
Hitting the Jackpot: Ho-Chunk mulling changes to '18 money' (The Wisconsin State Journal 4/4)

An Opinion:
Casino expansion gives region a boost: Our View (Daily Tribune Media 5/2)

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Ho-Chunk Nation approves $144M in gaming expansion projects (5/2)