The city council in Massillon, Ohio, approved a resolution on Monday night that expresses interest in a casino proposed by the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.

The council stopped short of endorsing the project. Still, city leaders voted 7-2 after hearing of the casino's potential benefits.

Eastern Shawnee Chief Charles Enyart visited Massillon and another Ohio city last week. He met with local leaders, media outlets and the public to promote the casino.

The tribe has filed a land claim in Ohio and says it will settle for gaming rights. Under a bill being considered in the Senate, tribes will no longer be able to open casinos on land obtained through a land claim settlement.

Get the Story:
As casino battle heats up, Massillon considers talks with tribe (The Lima News 4/4)
Massillon expresses an interest in casino (The Akron Beacon Journal 4/4)
Council OKs casino resolution (The Massilon Independent 4/4)