Casino news source: Bellingham Herald - http://www.bellinghamherald.com/
Key decisions coming for Northwood casino
Liquor license ruling, possible lawsuit due in ’07
Manny Javier, left, and David Siek of Nooksack Construction, work on Thursday to secure wall sheet backings to the outside walls of the main structure beams on the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s new Northwood Crossing Casino going up at Northwood and Halverstick roads.
Some key decisions may be coming that could impact the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s new casino, scheduled to open in 2007.
The 35,800-square-foot Northwood Crossing Casino is being built on tribal trust land north of Lynden at Northwood and Halverstick roads. Construction is still on schedule, said Mike Wootan, manager of the Nooksack River Casino in Deming.
In January, the state Liquor Control Board is expected to decide whether to grant the casino a liquor license. The board has already received more than 60 letters from community members and local government officials opposing the license.
County Executive Pete Kremen advised the board against approving a license, largely based on concerns from Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo.
Elfo said he is concerned that the casino will increase traffic and drunken drivers on the unlit country roads in the area.
Next year should also bring a decision by the National Indian Gaming Commission on proposed changes to video bingo machines. The new casino will operate 500 of these machines.
The changes are designed to clearly distinguish video bingo from slot machines, but also has the potential to make video bingo less appealing to customers and, therefore, less profitable.
The North County Community Alliance, a citizens’ group opposing the new casino, continues to fight Northwood’s construction.
The alliance recently withdrew its lawsuit questioning the land status and environmental impact of the casino but plans to refile depending on the results of an Environmental Protection Agency report, according to Richard Stephens, the group’s Bellevue-based attorney.
The lawsuit was originally filed in August against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Indian Gaming Commission for allegedly failing to make sure the new casino complied with federal laws.
After Northwood Crossing is open, the tribe intends to use the revenue to relocate and expand the Nooksack River Casino and build an accompanying hotel and resort. |
|
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
