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Keetoowah Trying to Bring Slot Machines to Fort Smith

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians has purchased 10 acres of land on which they hope to put a slot machine casino and hotel. The land runs along the Arkansas River, and is just north of River Park. Supporters say that the slot machine casino could bring in as much as $85 million the first year it is open.

The Fort Smith slot machine casino is not even close to being a done deal however, as there are still many hoops that the tribe must jump through. They need to get the land put into a trust by the federal government, and that can take months, even years to happen. Since Class II slot machines are allowed in certain areas of the state, the tribe is planning on bringing them in as well. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is working on the trust issue, but as the tribe has never successfully put land into a trust, this might present a problem. The tribe tried to get 76 acres near Tahlequah in a trust, but did not succeed and is currently appealing the decision.

There is a bill before Congress that could further impede their efforts to bring in the slot machine casino. Congress is considering restricting the way the tribes bring in the majority of their income. If the legislation goes through, slot machines and gaming operations could be restricted or even eliminated on Indian land. In order to have the slot machine casinos, they would need approval from the state’s legislature and their governor, tribes within 75 miles of the proposed trust, and a local county referendum.

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