Office of the Governor
For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 29, 2001
For More Information: Bob Mercer or Mike Mueller, 773-3212

Hearing Scheduled On Rosebud Sioux Gaming Compact

(Pierre) -- A public hearing is planned in April regarding the proposed changes in the gambling compact between the State of South Dakota and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

The meeting will be held Monday, April 23, starting at 1 p.m. CT at the Rosebud Sioux casino south of Mission on U.S. Highway 83. South Dakota law requires that before entering into a gaming compact with a tribe, the governor or his designee shall hold a hearing in the affected area to allow any interested persons to state their views.

Various changes are proposed in the existing compact between the State of South Dakota and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Among the changes are:

• Prohibiting the tribal government from using casino proceeds to influence the outcome of any federal, state or local election in South Dakota;
• Increasing the maximum number of slot machines to 250, from the current limit of 125 gaming devices, bringing the Rosebud Sioux into uniformity with other tribal governments in South Dakota regarding the limit; and
• Clarifying that civil and criminal jurisdiction at the casino shall follow the applicable federal, state and tribal laws.

Copies of the proposed compact are available by contacting the tribal gaming office at the casino at 1-800-489-0712.

-- 30 --