The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe kept true to their word and withheld a casino payment of $923,000 to the state on June 30, according to media reports.
The tribe argues that the $33 million ongoing expansion of the Ho-Chunk casino in nearby Wittenberg violates both federal law and the tribe’s casino state compact.
Last fall, the state Department of Administration ruled that the Ho-Chunk expansion does not violate the state’s gaming compact.
The Stockbridge-Munsee filed a lawsuit in federal court in April and a pre-trial conference is scheduled to be held July 27.
While celebrating 25 years in gaming in May, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal President Shannon Holsey told TCHDailyNews that regardless of what happens with the lawsuit, they will still be striving to be the casino of choice for their customers in Shawano County.
“We’re going to always strive to be that casino of choice through excellence, great customer service and all the things we need to do because customers have choices,” Holsey assured. “We want to be that casino of choice, so we’re going to continue to improve our amenities, improve the service and quality of food and entertainment that we provide for our guests. We’re going to continue to do that regardless of what happens [with the lawsuit.]”
Photo: Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal President Shannon Holsey cuts the first piece of cake during a celebration ceremony on May 26 at North Star Casino Resort in Bowler.