Quapaw Tribe Says Feds OK Downstream Casino Expansion Into Kansas

The Quapaw tribe announced Friday morning it will be expanding its Downstream Casino into southeast Kansas.

The tribe says the National Indian Gaming Commission issued an opinion which states Quapaw's land across the state line in Kansas qualifies for gaming according to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

"This federal opinion means that we can now go for it, and we will be the first to build and operate a casino in Southeast Kansas," said Quapaw Chairman John Berrey.

The Quapaw Tribe is one of the few Native American tribes in the U.S. whose historic reservations are within the boundaries of more than one state.

In a news release, the Quapaw Tribe says the estimated cost of the casino expansion into Kansas is $15 million. The 40,000 square-foot expansion will connect to the existing Downstream Casino building in Ottawa County in northeast Oklahoma.

The Downstream Casino in Oklahoma opened in July 2008. The road to the casino and parking for the casino are in Kansas.