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Iowa Tribe Denies Funding Casino Fight

IOWA – As reported by the Des Moines Register: "The Meskwaki tribe wants to play a role in any gambling expansion in Iowa, but a tribal official Tuesday denied the group would pay millions to keep a casino out of eastern Iowa.

"Voters in several counties have passed resolutions favoring riverboat gambling, in hopes the state will lift a moratorium on new gambling licenses.

"Voters in Black Hawk County have approved gambling resolutions. A new casino in Waterloo or Cedar Falls, which is within 45 miles of the tribe's casino near Tama, could cut into Meskwaki profits.

"Tom Jochum, a lobbyist for the tribe, said no effort would be made to restrict competition.

"…But a rival tribal council led by Troy Wanatee sent a letter recently asking Bear about what Wanatee considered 'disturbing' news.

"Wanatee's letter said legislators have been advised that the tribe would be willing to pay $50 million up front if the cap on gaming expansion remained, and then $30 million to $35 million a year thereafter…"

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