'We've seen the success': United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians taking steps to operate casino again

The National Indian Gaming Commission approved the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians' gaming ordinance, and then the tribe signed a gaming compact with the state of Oklahoma.

It comes as the tribe continues its long-running dispute with the Cherokee Nation, which says none of these actions change the fact that the UKB is not a gaming tribe.

First steps to return to gaming

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians says their recently awarded gaming ordinance and state gaming compact bring them closer to operating gaming.

"Historically, we did have a casino, and that was shut down due to the actions of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and so we are going through the steps to get our gaming back up and operating," UKB Attorney General Tori Holland said.

The Cherokee Nation claims that the casino was illegal.

"The UKB has attempted to open casinos over the years; at one point in time, operated an illegal casino that was shut down," Attorney General Chad Harsha, Cherokee Nation, said.

The UKB says they submitted their request for a gaming ordinance months ago, and the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the tribe's request.

Regardless, the Cherokee Nation says the UKB doesn't have the land suitable for gaming.

"I don't see any legal basis for this idea that somehow, they're going to start gaming within the Cherokee Nation reservation," said Harsha.

"The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma isn't the one who gets to decide who gets to operate gaming," said Holland.

Debate over jurisdiction

The U.S. Department of Interior under the Biden Administration said in January that the UKB has jurisdiction in the Cherokee Nation, but the Trump Administration suspended that opinion and is reviewing it.

"I think my sense is that opinion is going to be at some point withdrawn, because it's not an accurate reflection of either fact or law."

The UKB says that opinion is not directed at the tribe because President Trump suspended all opinions from the Biden Administration. 

So, the UKB says they will keep taking the necessary steps to open another casino.

"We've seen the success of having a casino operation and how much money that can bring in, and then we turn into services for our tribal members," said Holland. 

What's Next?

The UKB says right now, they have a pending trust application for where the old casino used to sit in Tahlequah. 

The Cherokee Nation says the tribe will take action if the UKB tries to operate a casino, like they have done before.