KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |Indian Casino Changes Plans

Indian Casino Changes Plans

January 8, 2004
Reported by KPLC Staff

Unless Governor-elect Kathleen Blanco has a change of heart about a reservation casino near Shreveport-Bossier City, the Jena Band of Choctaws will redirect its efforts at having a gambling hall to its home parishes of Grant and LaSalle.

In a statement, chief Christine Norris said the tribe was disappointed by Governor Mike Foster's decision to hand off the issue to Blanco, who takes office Monday.

Foster had been negotiating with the tribe for a casino in Logansport, which would compete with state-taxed casinos in Shreveport-Bossier City.

Tribal attorney Julie Wilkerson said the Jena Choctaws already have land in trust for a reservation in Grant and LaSalle parishes and she believes that federal law will enable the tribe to have a casino there.

In arguing for negotiations over the LaSalle Parish site, Foster said he would prefer that the tribe locate in an area where gambling was wanted.

Grant and LaSalle parishes voted out video poker in 1996.

However, Wilkerson said she believed federal law would override state law if the tribe proposes a casino in that area.

Blanco said she supported Foster's decision to end talks. Blanco opposed an expansion of gambling during her campaign.