Casino news source: Sun Herald - http://www.sunherald.com/
Pastor group plans to oppose Choctaw casino
By TOM WILEMON
Jackson County United for Families, a group of pastors opposed to gambling, met Monday with a representative of Coast Businesses for Fair Play to discuss strategies against a proposed Choctaw casino near Ocean Springs.
The pastors may ask the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to hold a nonbinding referendum sooner instead of later on the proposed casino. No decision was made, but the pastors will meet again next week to discuss their next step.
"We are not in any way aligned with Coast Businesses for Fair Play," said the Rev. Carl King, chairman of Jackson County United for Families. "They have a totally different agenda. Ours is quality of life and moral values away from the gambling industry. Their's has to do with dollars and economics. In no way are we related except we have the common goal to keep gambling out of Jackson County."
Coast Businesses is largely supported by Biloxi casinos. A Choctaw-operated casino would not have to pay federal, state and local taxes or abide by state regulations. It would also have location advantages because of its nearness to Interstate 10 away from the water.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has asked the county to hold a non-binding referendum during the 2008 presidential election and said it would abide by voters' wishes. Federal law does not require, however, an election for a tribal casino to be permitted.
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Clergy meeting
Jackson County United for Families wants input from clergy in deciding how best to oppose gambling.
Who: Clergy only.
When: 8 a.m., Jan. 31.
Where: First United Methodist Church of Gautier, 2717 U.S. 90, Gautier.
Details: E-mail the Rev. Carl King at kingdom@cableone.net
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