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Tribes Challenge Wisconsin Compact

WISCONSIN – As reported by the Associated Press: "The Lac du Flambeau and Bad River Chippewa tribes of Wisconsin have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Ho-Chunk Nation's compact unfairly protects the Ho-Chunk from casino competition.

"They are suing U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and her department for approving the Ho-Chunk compact last June with what they informally refer to as a `no-compete' clause.

"The clause says the Ho-Chunk would get a break in its state casino payment if another tribe won approval for an off-reservation casino that would substantially eat into business at any existing Ho-Chunk casino.

"No other tribe in Wisconsin has such a provision in its compact. The suit asks that the clause be declared invalid.

"The suit, filed Friday, alleges that by approving the Ho-Chunk deal, Norton violated several provisions of federal law, including `unlawfully allowing one tribe to interfere with another tribe's efforts' and giving Ho-Chunk a `right to be free from economic competition.'

"…The Chippewa tribes fear that their hopes for new off-reservation casinos could be quashed by the Ho-Chunk clause.

"The Lac du Flambeau tribe is seeking approval for an off-reservation casino in Shullsburg in southwestern Wisconsin, and the Bad River tribe wants to put an off-reservation casino in Beloit…"

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