TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees officials say they have a contingency plan in place for employees if the tribe's casino is forced to close.
The tribe and Attorney General Scott Pruitt signed an agreement last month that requires the tribe to pay $2 million to the state and secure federal trust status for land on which the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino is located. The tribe has until Monday to comply or it has to cease gaming operations.
The Tahlequah Daily Press reports that casino general manager Rod Fourkiller said Friday that if the trust determination is delayed, the facility's 195 employees will be placed on paid leave.
The National Indian Gaming Commission concluded last year that the casino wasn't on Indian land, and the tribe filed an amended trust application.
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Information from: Tahlequah Daily Press, http://www.tahlequahdaailypress.com