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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2002

The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana are planning to build a large casino and 500-room hotel complex, according to a tribal spokesperson.

The tribe first has to receive approval to have 40 acres of land in Vinton taken into trust. A decision from the Bureau of Indian Affairs is expected within a month or so.

Gov. Mike Foster signed a compact with the tribe last month. He said he had no choice and wanted to get the best deal for the state.

Under the compact, the tribe will pay 6 percent of gaming revenues to local governments and 15.5 percent to the state fund for teacher pay raises. Foster said he has lobbied the Bush administration to accept the deal.

Get the Story:
Casino agreement defended (The Baton Rouge Advocate 2/7)

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Choctaw seeking Louisiana casino (2/6)
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