Wisconsin lawmakers say odds against new casino

Tuesday, April 18, 2000 | 12:50 p.m.

Gov. Tommy Thompson's approval is needed for the Ashwaubenon casino, which the Lac du Flambeau Chippewas would build on land south of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Complex.

The casino would be about four miles from Oneida Bingo & Casino, one of the largest gaming operations in Wisconsin. Two major gaming operations in one community would be a first in the state.

Sen. Alan Lasee, R-Rockland, said the governor has taken a consistent position against an expansion of gambling in Wisconsin. Lasee said Thompson reacted negatively when he asked the governor to approve a 1992 proposal to build an off-reservation casino near Mishicot.

"I assume he'll say, 'No,"' Lasee said. "I can't imagine this would happen."

Thompson spokesman Kevin Keane said the governor would insist the Lac du Flambeaus close their existing casino if they opened a casino at an off-reservation site. The tribe operates the Lake of the Torches Casino at Lac du Flambeau.

Brown County officials will play important roles in the issue, Keane said. Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin said he would be displeased to see gambling expand at the city's doorstep, while other Brown County officials have been more positive.

"Of course, the governor is going to listen to the mayor of Green Bay," Keane said. "He'll be one piece of the puzzle. But if you have an overwhelming voice from Ashwaubenon and Brown County, he'll listen to that, too."

Sen. Gary Drzewiecki, R-Pulaski, said a 1993 statewide referendum opposing an expansion of gambling sent a signal that the public does not want more casinos.

Drzewiecki said a decision on allowing another casino to operate in Brown County should be up to local officials, though he personally opposes a second casino in the county.

"We already have one so close by," he said. "I hope people sit back and think long and hard about this."

Most supervisors on the 24-member Brown County Board interviewed by the Green Bay Press-Gazette said the potential $92.5 million in payments to the village and county over 20 years makes the off-reservation casino plan worth a look.

"It could be very impressive in the amount of money they'd bring back to the county," Supervisor Kathy Johnson said. "It's certainly not something you can turn your back on without getting more information."

County supervisors will need to study potential economic benefits and social ills the gaming operation will bring to the county, County Board Chairman Timothy Hinkfuss said.