In Mississippi, signatures are being processed on petitions circulated by the group Choctaw For Better Government requiring a referendum on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ proposed million Red Water Casino in Leake County. Nikki Comby, a member of the group, said 1,612 signatures are needed to hold the referendum. “Our final count was 1,730 submitted. Now we know right off the bat that some of those are going to be kicked out because they either were not registered or registered late. We want people to actively voice their constitutional right to vote. Don’t be afraid. We can do this.” A referendum on the Red Water Casino plan would be held by the end of July.
The group opposes the proposed casino because of the amount of debt that would be required to finance it. “We really don’t think it’s a risk we want to take to add on more debt. We were told there was going to be no new money borrowed but now we know that’s not correct. We have a Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise resolution that states the tribe will borrow $25 million,” Comby said. The tribe refinanced its existing gaming debts in November.
The 10,800-member Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in the state, announced the casino plans in late January. The 38,500 square foot venue would offer 500 slots and 10 table games and create 200 new jobs. Chief Phyliss Anderson said the loan needed for the Red Water Casino would be paid off within 18 months of its opening. “It will allow us to reduce our debt in faster time,” she said.
The tribe’s Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise Incorporated operates the Silver Star Resort Casino and the Golden Moon Casino at the Pearl River Resort in Neshoba County; the Bok Homa Casino, Dancing Rabbit Inn and Geyser Falls Water Theme Park in Jones County.
