Mississippi casino bills introduced
BILOXI, Mississippi – As reported by the Biloxi Sun Herald: “Two bills introduced this legislative session would put more checks and balances on the expansion of tribal casinos in Mississippi.
“Plans by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to put a casino in a county in which gambling is illegal spurred the legislation. The bills would add one more hurdle to what opponents call ‘reservation shopping,’ by which the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs allows tribes to open casinos beyond historic reservation lands.
“The two casinos the Choctaws currently operate are on their historic reservation near Philadelphia. The tribe has asked the federal agency to allow it to open a third casino in Jackson County, where it owns and operates a printing plant.
“Tribes must negotiate compacts with governors for there to be Vegas-style slots. One bill also would require the approval of a special legislative subcommittee. The other would require the approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission as well as the subcommittee…”