Tribe sues state over gambling

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000 | 10:55 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- The Northern Arapaho Tribe filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state, charging Gov. Jim Geringer has failed to negotiate in good faith on allowing the tribe to establish high stakes gambling.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, is the first step in the tribe's attempt to force the state to accept Indian gambling on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

"We've been trying to work this out with the governor since at least 1995, but now it's clear he would rather stall us than respect our sovereign power to offer casino style gaming on our own reservation," said Arapaho Business Council Chairman Al Addison. "It's time for Jim Geringer to live up to his oath and follow the law. He cannot be allowed to continue acting in such an unfair and unreasonable manner when it comes to Indian issues."

State officials declined comment on the lawsuit.

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