A study commissioned by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe says a proposed casino in Iowa will hurt the state of South Dakota.

The Royal River Casino depends on business from the Sioux Falls area. That's only about a half-hour drive from the proposed casino in Larchwood, Iowa.

"The Royal River Casino in Flandreau attracts more out-of-state visitors every year than the state of South Dakota attracts in hunters," Tribal President Joshua Weston told The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The study says South Dakota gamblers will spend $55 million a year in Iowa. It also says the state will lose $18 million a year in video lottery revenues.

The tribe is conducting a separate study to determine how the Iowa casino directly affects Royal River.

Get the Story:
Iowa casino will drain S.D. money, study says (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/19)
Iowa tribes' woes a lesson for Flandreau (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/19)
Some cities across border say casinos don't help (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/19)
Casinos from Flandreau to Omaha (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/19)