Oklahoma indian tribe says buying Ohio site for gambling casino

MONROE, Ohio (AP) _ The Eastern Shawnee Tribe says it is buying a 150-acre piece of land in southwest Ohio and hopes to open a gambling casino there in a few years. <br/><br/>The Oklahoma-based tribe said

Friday, October 1st 2004, 11:06 am

By: News On 6

MONROE, Ohio (AP) _ The Eastern Shawnee Tribe says it is buying a 150-acre piece of land in southwest Ohio and hopes to open a gambling casino there in a few years.

The Oklahoma-based tribe said today it has a contract to buy the land in the Corridor 75 Park, a commercial park along Interstate 75 in Monroe. Eastern Shawnee leaders said they plan a $250-million investment and will work with neighboring land owners to develop a hotel, retail and entertainment facilities that could open in several years.

Eastern Shawnee leaders say they hope to meet with Ohio officials in December to discuss plans for five to seven gambling operations around the state.

Governor Taft remains opposed to casino gambling in Ohio. But, he may not be able to stop one on Indian land if the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs gives its approval.

Congress made such projects possible through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed in 1988.