Governor: Arbitration likely in dispute over gaming payments

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:05 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. -- Unable to reach a new gambling compact with the Ho-Chunk Nation, Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday the state will likely ask for an arbitrator to mediate a dispute over the tribe's gaming payments.

The Ho-Chunk refused to make a $30 million payment due to the state last year, citing a state Supreme Court decision it said invalidated a portion of its gaming compact requiring the tribe to hand over the money. It also does not plan to make another $30 million payment June 30, citing the same reasons.

The other nine tribes that reached similar deals with the state in 2003 have continued to make their payments despite the Supreme Court decision. The state is trying to work out new deals with all of them to comply with the ruling.

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