Cheyenne River Sioux plans Lake Oahe casino

As reported by the Rapid City Journal: "Officials for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe believe their plans for a casino on the shore of Lake Oahe in central South Dakota will create jobs and generate essential revenue for programs on the financially strapped reservation.

"The tribe is considering several casino locations, including one in Stanley County on the west side of the massive Missouri River reservoir. That location would be on tribal trust land outside of the reservation bound.

"...With its proximity to the capital city of Pierre and the recreation draw of the Missouri River, the casino would be much more successful than if it were built on the isolated reservation itself, [Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe administrative officer Harold Condon] said.

"...The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in tribal revenue. Tribal casino operations in South Dakota are much less profitable, although most provide important revenues for tribal government and members.

"Tribes and the state negotiate gambling compacts. Gov. Mike Rounds said he had not heard of the Cheyenne River tribe's casino proposal. In the past, governors have resisted proposals by tribes to locate casinos outside reservation boundaries..."

Return to South Dakota Casinos.