Tribe wants to build second casino near Green Bay

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 9:52 a.m.

Ashwaubenon officials want to build the casino on village-owned property near the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

The casino, however, would need to be approved at the local, state and federal levels, and it is not clear whether the project has support beyond Ashwaubenon officials.

Gov. Tommy Thompson would insist on seeing local support for the casino before approving the project, his spokesman said.

"There's already one casino in Green Bay," Kevin Keane said. "It's doubtful that the people of Green Bay would be looking for a second one."

The nearby Oneida Bingo & Casino has 2,500 slot and video poker machines and about 100 blackjack tables, drawing as many as 2.5 million visitors a year.

A spokeswoman for the Oneida said the tribe would not comment on the new casino plans until it sees a solid proposal.

The Lac du Flambeau operates a casino in Vilas County. The tribe has been looking throughout Wisconsin to build another casino, but proposals have been rejected in the Milwaukee suburbs, Johnson Creek, Belgium and Sheboygan.

Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin said today he would be very displeased to see gambling expand at the city's doorstep.

"Because it's gaming, there are moral issues, and second of all, I don't believe it's the way you solve your economic problems," Jadin said.