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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002

Latest: The Supreme Court today refused to grant a stay to allow the casino to remain open. The Court acted on a tribal request for a stay only, and not to hear an appeal of the actual decision to close the casino.

Unless an act of miracle or act of court comes through, the Tigua Tribe of Texas is set to close its Speaking Rock Casino this week.

The official closing date is today, per a court mandate. How that will actually be accomplished is anyone's guess.

The closure will put more than 700 people out of work. It will also shut off a significant source of income for the tribe, whose recognition was terminated by the federal government and handed over to the state of Texas.

After the tribe's status was restored, it opened the casino in 1993. Since then, the casino has helped to increase employment and drive down poverty.

The tribe has asked the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision and plans on asking the Supreme Court to hear its case.

Get the Story:
High court rejects Tigua casino case (The El Paso Times 2/11)
Casino's end could stop donations to area groups (The El Paso Times 2/11)
All bets are off, Tiguas' casino to close this week (The El Paso Times 2/10)
State takes steps to help 700 soon-to-be laid off (The El Paso Times 2/10)
State sees entertainment center in Tiguas' future (The El Paso Times 2/10)

Relevant Links:
Speaking Rock Casino - http://www.speakingrockcasino.com/index.html
Office of Attorney General, Texas - http://www.oag.state.tx.us

Related Stories:
Tigua Tribe denied stay for casino (2/8)
Tigua Tribe given four more days (2/1)
Tigua Tribe upset with governor (1/30)
Tigua Tribe helping employees (1/22)
Tigua casino ordered closed (1/18)
Tigua Tribe defends its casino in court (1/10)
Tigua Tribe fears return to poverty (12/3)
Tigua casino staying open for now (11/28)
NEW: Tigua casino gets reprieve (11/27)
Tigua casino told to shut down (11/7)
Tigua casino ordered shut down again (11/5)
Tigua Tribe wants casino kept open (10/16)
Tigua casino ordered closed (9/28)
Tigua casino lawsuit delayed (7/16)
Supreme Court lets Tigua Tribe be sued (6/5)
Tigua Tribe loses gaming appeal (11/03)
Bush v. Texas Tribes: Is it really true? (11/3)