Controversial pact approved

Monday, April 7, 2003 | 9:23 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. -- Federal officials approved the state's gaming compact with the Forest County Potawatomi on Sunday, allowing the tribe to offer more games in exchange for larger payments that Gov. Jim Doyle plans to use to help close Wisconsin's budget deficit, a tribal spokesman said.

The deal's approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs means the Forest County Potawatomi will be allowed to offer games like roulette, craps, keno and pari-mutuel wagering, Potawatomi spokesman Tom Krajewski said. The tribe also will no longer be subject to limits on the number of slot machines it can offer at its casinos in Milwaukee and Carter.

Last week the Legislature sued Doyle, asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to void the Potawatomi compact and block the Democratic governor from signing deals with any other tribes.

The lawsuit claims the Potawatomi compact violates a 1993 amendment to the state constitution restricting gambling expansions. Legislators also claim the compact usurps their authority to appropriate state funds because it promises to refund the payments to the Potawatomi if gambling is expanded beyond Indian tribes.