Gaming regulators block Kialegee Broken Arrow casino

Good news for south Broken Arrow residents trying to stop the construction of a casino near their neighborhoods: The National Indian Gaming Commission has ruled that the land is not under the sovereignty of the Kialegee Tribal Town and therefore cannot be used by them for gaming. From Congressman John Sullivan's office:

Sullivan: NIGC Ruling Affirms Citizens' Opposition to Proposed Neighborhood Casino

Washington, D.C. - Today, the National Indian Gaming Commission issued their determination on the fate of the proposed Kialegee casino in Broken Arrow, OK.

Citing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the NIGC is ruling that this land is not Kialegee land; therefore, it is not eligible for gaming. It is important to note that the Solicitor General at the Bureau of Indian Affairs concurs with the decision of the NIGC.

A federal court made the same determination just a week ago.

"This is a huge win for the citizens of Broken Arrow who stood up and affirmed, 'We don't want casino gaming close to our neighborhoods, churches and schools.'

I am proud to stand with these determined and well-organized citizens.

The citizens of Broken Arrow can rest assured that there will never be a Kialegee casino built on that land."

Broken Arrow Citizen Against Neighborhood Gaming organizers Jared Cawley and Rob Martinek issued this additional statement in reaction to the ruling:

"We would never have reached this point without the leadership of Congressman John Sullivan. He was the first to join with us and shine a spotlight on the issue.

He helped us present our case and pushed the NIGC and BIA to issue a ruling. We are very proud of Congressman Sullivan's steadfast and energetic defense of the families of Broken Arrow."

In 1936 Kialegee was one of only three out of the more than 40 tribal towns of the Muscogee Confederacy to take advantage of a provision in the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act to become a separate federally recognized tribe. (Alabama-Quassarte and Thlopthlocco are the other two.)