HO-CHUNK AGREES TO PAY $30-MILLION
Thursday, May 11th, 2006 -- 10:06 AM
The Ho-Chunk Nation has agreed to make a $30 million back payment to the state for its casino operations. The two sides continue negotiations on $75-million still in question.The Ho-Chunk have refused to pay their annual fee under a gaming compact since 2004, when the state Supreme Court ruled Gov. Jim Doyle exceeded his authority by signing a similar deal with another Indian tribe.
In 2003, Doyle reached deals with most of the state's tribes that dramatically increased tribal payments for the exclusive right to run casinos. The deals had no expiration dates and allowed new games, such as poker and craps.
In the wake of the decision, the Ho-Chunk stopped offering the new games and announced it would cease making payments. The two sides are in arbitration over the matter, but have also continued to negotiate outside of arbitration.
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