FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2023
Contact: Lorri Pickens, Lorri@citizensagainstgambling.com; 920-659-4489
Kenosha Casino Cloaked in a Shroud of Secrecy
Application to Bureau of Indian Affairs Creates More Questions than Answers
Kenosha, WI – Past attempts to place an off-reservation casino in Kenosha have been shrouded in secrecy and tainted by corruption and questionable business practices. The new casino application submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs on May 2, 2023 by the Menominee Tribe of Northern Wisconsin and their partner, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, suggests current efforts to build an Indian casino in Kenosha will bring more of the same.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs land-to-trust application filed by the Menominee Tribe was submitted prior to obtaining a finalized Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Kenosha and Kenosha County. The application deliberately conceals important details such as revenue agreements, control of law enforcement on casino property, and future land use limitations and allowances.
“This process has been closed to the public from the very beginning, starting with Seminole Tribe disguising themselves as the Kenosha Landco, LLC so they could quietly negotiate a purchase option on public land owned by the Village of Bristol. The Bristol Village board followed suit by scheduling two last minute special village board meetings within a five week period, designed to limit public awareness,” said Lorri Pickens, spokesperson for Citizens Against Expanded Gambling.
The process for an off-reservation casino in Wisconsin is designed to ensure the best interests of all parties are at the forefront of discussions.
“A simple google search on the Seminole Tribe demonstrates a long history of shady business practices. We need transparency in the process now because once this information finally becomes public, it will be too late to provide any meaningful public input.” said Pickens.
###
