A group opposing more off-reservation gambling casinos is hoping a recent federal policy change won't mean a new casino in Kenosha.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has given it's blessing to a Menominee Tribe proposal to put in a large casino-hotel complex at the former Dairyland Greyhound Racing track in Kenosha. The move is opposed by the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, which has operated a lucrative casino in Milwaukee for many years.
Brian Nemoir is Executive Director of "Enough Already", based in Delafied. His group thinks there are enough gaming opportunities in Wisconsin...
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"....there are 11 tribes operating 24 casinos in Wisconsin. It is a $16 billion industry in our state. In any given direction from someone's home, you can find a casino within two hours..."
Nemoir dispute the position that gaming is one of the few ways tribes have to get revenue. He says that economic independence comes at a cost...
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"....it comes at a cost for people who visit casinos, It comes at a cost for the tribes who operate casinos. It comes at a cost for revenues for communities and cities rely upon because there is not an endless pot of gaming dollars in Wisconsin, there is a finite pot of gaming dollars...."
He says the "pot is not likely to grow" and the tribes would simply be redistributing that finite pot of money.
Besides the Kenosha proposal, the Lac du Flambeau tribe is hoping to build a facility at Shullsburg. St. Croix and Bad River would like to build a facility at Beloit and the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa have been approached about a facility at Sheboygan.
Governor Scott Walker will have the final approval whether any more casinos will be allowed.
