State’s last eligible tribe close to winning a casino

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 | 10:05 a.m.

FLORENCE, Ore. -- The state's last federally recognized Indian tribe without a casino is one court ruling away from building a gambling resort on the Oregon coast.

"If we get the green light, we would hope to have it up in 18 to 20 months," at a site near Florence, said Ron Brainard of Lebanon, tribal council chairman for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.

The speedy time line is possible because one of the last acts of former Gov. John Kitzhaber before leaving office was to sign a compact with the 800-member tribe allowing gaming at the site if the tribe prevails in a lawsuit filed by the state.

For the first few years, an official said, management of the casino will be contracted to a Las Vegas-based gaming consultant, R.O.I. Gaming Inc.

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