Although Mississippi’s Attorney General has said that the state has no legal grounds to attempt to block the Choctaw Indians $17 million casino to be built on sovereign land, Governor Haley R. Barbour won’t take no for an answer.
“I intend to proceed with legal action to stop this gaming development that is clearly inconsistent with the policy of this State to develop destination gaming for the economic benefit of all Mississippians.” Barbour said.
Last week Attorney General Jim Hood declared that the tribe was within their rights to build the 27,000 square foot casino with 500 to 700 slot machines and were under no obligation to the state.
Under the 1992 Gaming Compact signed between the state and the Choctaw’s the tribe is only subject to federal regulation and requires no additional approval from the state or county lawmakers, however the Governor wants to attempt to block the development that could potentially cut into the profits and the states take of the 30 casinos lining the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast.






