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Nipmucs, company set plan on casino

By Sean P. Murphy, Globe Staff, 7/10/2001

he Minnesota company that has advanced millions of dollars to the Nipmuc Indians who plan to build a world-class casino along Interstate 84 near the Massachusetts-Connecticut line yesterday announced a partnership deal with the tribe.

Lakes Gaming Inc., a spinoff company from onetime casino giant Grand Casino, said it and the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Council had come to terms on a deal to develop and manage a casino. Under the agreement, Lakes will get 35 percent of net income from the casino for seven years.

''While there is no assurance that the Nipmuc's efforts will be successful, we are confident that a well-planned destination casino resort development would provide tremendous resources and benefits to the Nipmuc Nation, its people, and those in surrounding communities,'' said Lyle Berman, chairman of Lakes Gaming.

One obstacle to a casino is federal recognition. Nipmuc Indians have been recognized as a tribe by Massachusetts for hundreds of years, but not by the federal government, which requires such a designation before allowing gaming on tribal lands. Nipmucs have sought federal recognition for 30 years, but the government's genealogists last year determined the group had failed to show a continuous existence as tribe.

However, that determination was set aside by Michael J. Anderson, a political appointee to the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. Acting on the last day of the Clinton administration, he gave the Nipmucs preliminary approval as a tribe.

Upon taking office, the Bush administration ''froze'' Anderson's decision, and there the matter has stood for almost six months.

The tribal council, meanwhile, released a statement yesterday saying that Lake Gaming will continue to ''help with and fund'' the Nipmuc's ongoing federal recognition effort. The council said the money is repayable only if a casino is opened.

Lakes Gaming is now providing the 10-member council with $55,000 a month for expenses, including $800-a-month stipends or salaries per council member. Lakes Gaming is also paying for lawyers and lobbyists involved the deal.

Representatives of the Nipmucs have considered buying land in Sturbridge or across the stateline in Union, Conn., according to sources familiar with the group's plans.

Sean P. Murphy's email address is [email protected].

This story ran on page B4 of the Boston Globe on 7/10/2001.
© Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper Company.