Legislation

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe willing to ax land claim for casino

Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas is willing to drop its land claim in exchange for a casino.

A federal court said the tribe deserves $270 million for being deprived of its land rights. H.R.1144, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act, would end the lawsuit and restore the tribe's ability to engage in gaming on its reservation.

The tribe, whose federal recognition was restored by Congress in 1987, once operated a casino but it was shut down due to litigation from the state. H.R.1144 removes a provision in the restoration law that barred gaming.

"A lot of people's opinions changed when we had this for nine months," Chairman Kyle Williams told The Houston Press of the now-shuttered casino. "People that opposed us came here in support of us — especially among the outside community."

The tribe has spent $3 million on lobbying efforts to restore its gaming rights, the Press reported.

Get the Story:
Doubling Down: Texas and Casino Gambling (The Houston Press 4/4)