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Expanding Casino Wants Liquor Licenses17 July 2000MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN -- July 17, 2000 – As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The Potawatomi Bingo Casino has applied for four liquor licenses for bars and restaurants inside its $120 million expansion, but the request faces concerns among aldermen about mixing alcohol with gambling. "The expanded casino, narrowly approved last year when the Common Council overturned a mayoral veto, is expected to open Oct. 1 on tribal-owned land in the Menomonee Valley. "…But the liquor applications, which probably won't be considered until September, face skepticism among some aldermen about the wisdom of serving alcohol at a casino and whether the mix will encourage problem gamblers to gamble more. "…A casino spokeswoman said alcohol would not be served in the gaming area and patrons would not be allowed to take it outside the restaurants or bar. "…Ordinarily, state and local laws - such as those requiring liquor licenses - do not apply to tribal lands. However, in an agreement signed in 1990, after the Menomonee Valley land was acquired, the Potawatomi agreed to seek a liquor license before serving alcohol at the casino. "[Linda Sowell, the casino's public relations director] said most other Indian-run casinos in the state sell alcohol, many of them on the gaming floor. "The new casino will have 250,000 square feet, five times the space of the old building. The expansion will include 25 blackjack tables and 1,000 slot machines. It was approved by the council in March 1999, when aldermen voted 12-5 to override the veto of Mayor John O. Norquist, who argued the expansion would increase crime and hurt the economy by sucking business away from other bars, clubs and restaurants..." |