Court Ruling Could Affect Osage Tribal Casinos
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — An official with the Osage Nation says a recent federal appeals court ruling could be devastating for three of the tribe’s casinos. The ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an earlier ruling that Osage County is not an Indian reservation. The ruling means three of the tribe’s seven casinos — including its largest one in Tulsa — are on land that is not in trust with the U.S. government or under federal restricted status as is required to operate in states where gambling is illegal. Tribal Congressman Kurgee Supernaw estimates losing the three casinos would take half to three-quarters of the tribe’s net income. The tribe is asking for a rehearing of the case — but Supernaw says it should begin trying to get the land placed in trust.
The Osage tribe operates seven casinos in NE Oklahoma, all under the name of Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino.