Kansas seeks to block Downstream Casino expansion

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed a preliminary injunction April 16 seeking to block an expansion of Downstream Casino Resort into the state.

In the injunction filed against the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Schmidt claims the tribe applied for a 124-acre parcel in Kansas to be taken into trust by the U.S. for nongaming purposes. However, Schmidt wrote in the motion that “it is clear the Quapaw intended to use the land for gaming purposes but misrepresented to the NIGC, the state and the county their true intentions.”

Late last year, Quapaw Tribe officials announced the NIGC ruled it could build on tribal land in southeast Kansas. The plan calls for expanding the casino onto what is now part of its main parking lot. In its announcement, the tribe said the expansion would comprise a $15 million, 40,000-square-foot casino with 162 electronic gaming machines, a cigar lounge and a night club on the upper level.

In a teleconference call with reporters April 17, Downstream Development Authority Chairman John Berrey maintained the tribe did not lie, and further, accused Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback of “protecting his good ole’ boy buddies that might have a casino opportunity in my backyard,” according to the Joplin Regional Business Journal.[[In-content Ad]]