Tony Evers, the leading Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor, said he would approve the Ho-Chunk Nation’s proposed off-reservation casino in Beloit. Evers, who is superintendent of the state’s public school system, said, “I would sign that agreement” for the $405.5 million casino. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs and the state governor to approve tribal casinos.
The casino development would include a hotel, convention center and indoor water park.
If Evers wins the August primary, he’ll face Republican Governor Scott Walker, who is running for re-election. Walker rejected the Menominee Nation’s proposed casino in 2015. He has not declared his position on the Ho-Chunk casino.
Project officials said the BIA is expected to approve publication in the federal register by the end of first quarter 2018, followed by a public hearing in the second quarter. The BIA has not yet issued a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed casino but project officials said that could occur within the next month. Ho-Chunk Nation President Wilfrid Cleveland said, “We’ve had great feedback from the White House on this.”
The tribe recently updated its government-to-government agreement with Beloit.
Evers has served as superintendent since 2009. He was re-elected in April 2016 with 70 percent of the statewide vote.
