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Apaches Protest Federal Closing of Tribal Casino
LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO --
A decision by the National Indian Gaming Commission to order the immediate closing of the New Mexico casino run by the Fort Sill Apache tribe has drawn a legal response from the tribe. The Oklahoma-based tribe filed a motion asking the courts to affirm that a settlement between the Indian nation and the US government allows the casino to continue legally operating.
The NIGC says the tribe had to meet a list of conditions and exceptions to receive the right to run a casino on the land, and that none of the conditions have been met.
Tribal leaders are asking that the decision, which they say will severely affect the Apache tribe, not be made by outgoing NIGC chairman Philip Hogen, a Bush appointee noted as an opponent of expanded Native American gambling. They ask the ruling be postponed until after President Obama has a replacement in place.
Hogen notified the tribe last week to "immediately cease all gaming operations." The written demand included a warning the tribe could face fines up to $25,000 a day.
The tribal casino opened in April, featuring bingo games. Tribal chairman Jeff Houser has stated the bingo operation will continue as pleas all the way up to Obama are exhausted.
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