A failed referendum presents a major stumbling block for Lac du Flambeau’s off-reservation casino planned for southern Wisconsin.
Tribal members have voted not to continue funding the Shullsburg casino application process.
The margin was extremely close, with just two votes deciding the outcome.
Lac du Flambeau spokesperson Brandon Thoms says the next step is for the tribal council to discuss options with the Shullsburg work group.
“Hopefully that this isn’t the end, because the tribe has invested many resources, time, energy into this project, and it would really be a setback if this wasn’t given a full-faith effort.”
Thoms says the tribe may want to try and broaden support for the project.
It will also look into alternate funding sources.
Lac du Flambeau has been working with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs on an environmental impact statement for the Shullsburg casino-resort complex.
The tribe recently celebrated an agreement with the city of Shullsburg that ironed out some of the terms of the deal.
