From the NYTs:
Good Decision on Tribal Casinos
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne made exactly the right call when he recently denied permission to 11 Indian tribes around the country to acquire more land in order to build casinos.
St. Regis Mohawk
NYTs on Decline of Gaming in the Catskills
From the NYTs:
In the Catskills, Wondering if Casinos’ Time Has Passed
The slot-machine casino in Monticello was nearly empty on Wednesday afternoon.
St. Regis Mohawk’s $3B Suit against Harrah’s re: Interference with Gaming Contract
The Northern District of New York refused to dismiss a claim seeking to enforce a tribal court judgment against Harrah’s for an amount (including interest) approaching $3 Billion. The case is Vacco v. Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.
Legal materials and news coverage below:
St. Regis Mohawk Suit re: Delay in Fee to Trust Decision
In a case where the Department of Interior issued a FONSI in 2006 and the Governor of New York concurred in the trust acquisition (for gaming purposes) shortly thereafter, Secretary Kempthorne still has not taken action. So, the St. Regis Mohawk tribe sued, alleging that the only reason for the delay is Secretary Kempthorne’s “personal views opposing off-reservation gaming.”
This will be an interesting case to watch.
Turtle Talk 