Legislation

Winnebago Tribe's corporation collects signatures for gaming vote

Monday, June 6, 2016

Ho-Chunk Inc.., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe, owns the site of the former Atokad Downs in South Sioux City, Nebraska, and operates it as Atokad Park. Image from Google Maps

A group backed by Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe, continues to collect signatures in hopes of putting a series of gaming initiatives on the November ballot.

Keep the Money in Nebraska believes it has already met the threshold to qualify, the Associated Press reported. But collection efforts will continue until the July 7 deadline.

"People understand our message and they're tired of the status quo," Scott Lautenbaugh, a spokesperson for the group, told the AP.

If voters approve the ballot measures, racetracks with existing licenses will be able to offer games of chance. Ho-Chunk Inc. owns the South Sioux City Racing and Events Center, a licensed track.

Approval could also lead to expanded gaming in Indian Country and maybe even Class III gaming compacts. Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribes can engage in the same types of games that are permitted in a state.

Class III gaming is legal in various forms in all of Nebraska's neighboring states: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Ho-Chunk Inc. owns Indianz.Com but the website is not involved in the corporation's activities.

Get the Story:
Nebraska gambling measure likely to qualify for the ballot (AP 6/5)