Construction is progressing quickly on the Cowlitz Tribe's casino in Washington. Still image from Live Construction Feed / Cowlitz Casino Project
Despite losing twice at the polls, the backers of a non-Indian casino in Oregon are back and are raising fears about a new tribal facility in neighboring Washington. Matt Rossman and Bruce Studer want to open a casino in Wood Village. They say it will address competition from the Cowlitz Tribe, whose ilani gaming facility is due to open in April 2017. "It is estimated that the Mohegan/Cowlitz casino alone will cost Oregon and Tribes $1 billion," Rossman told The Portland Business Journal. The Mohegan Tribe is a partner in the Cowlitz project. In the past, tribes in Oregon have not supported an expansion of non-Indian gaming. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, whose leaders are fighting the Cowlitz casino, were among the opponents of Rossman's and Studer's prior efforts.
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Chairman Reyn Leno, far left, attends the demolition ceremony for the old Multnomah Greyhound Park in Wood Village, Oregon, on June 28, 2016. Photo from Facebook
The Grand Ronde Tribes have since purchased the old Multnomah Greyhound Park in Wood Village, where Rossman and Studer had wanted to build their casino. For their latest proposal, the pair have selected a site less than two miles from the former racetrack. The Grand Ronde Tribes are looking to develop a hotel and entertainment options at the 31-acre site. Chairman Reyn Leno has not ruled out gaming but he has said the process could be complex and time-consuming. The Grand Ronde Tribes operate the Spirit Mountain Casino about 75 miles from Wood Village. The facility depends largely on the Portland market. The Cowlitz Tribe's casino will be about 30 miles north of Wood Village, which is right outside Portland. Get the Story:
Private casino backers trying again in Wood Village (The Oregonian 8/5)
Privately backed East Multnomah casino back in play (The Portland Business Journal 8/5)
Casino may be coming to Wood Village (KOIN 8/5) D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon v. Jewell (July 29, 2016)
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