As it pursues a long-delayed casino in Iowa, the
Ponca Tribe is facing opposition from a faith-based group in Nebraska.
The Open Door Mission operates a homeless shelter about
1 mile from the tribe's gaming site. The group claims the development will put disadvantaged people at risk.
"Gambling may well be a money-maker at first glance, but it seems that the economic costs of problem gambling have been – and continue to be – a growing burden on those vulnerable populations who can least afford the monetary and social losses," Candace L. Gregory, the president and CEO of Open Door Mission, said in a
statement.
The tribe already operates a
smoke shop on the land but this appears to be the first time the group, which promotes itself as a "Gospel Rescue Mission," has raised concerns. According to Gregory, people who suffer from gambling problems are more likely to "smoke, binge drink, or take illegal drugs."
The tribe is also facing opposition from the city of Council Bluffs in Iowa, which is home to three non-Indian gaming facilities. A lawsuit is pending in federal court.
The tribe's site in Carter Lake, Iowa, is unique in that it is surrounded entirely by the state of Nebraska. The Open House Mission is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
The tribe has been pursuing a casino at Carter Lake for more than a decade.
Read More on the Story:
Open Door Mission: A Ponca casino in Carter Lake would hurt homeless
(The Omaha World-Herald March 23, 2018)
National Indian Gaming Commission Documents:
November
14, 2017 Decision |
December
31, 2007 Decision
8th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Nebraska v.
Department of Interior (October 19, 2010)
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