The U.S. Department of Interior recently extended by 20 years the authority of the Northern Arapaho tribe to operate a casino on the Wind River Reservation in Casper, Wyoming.” Northern Arapaho Business Council Co-Chairman Ronald K. Oldman said, “Gaming jump-started the reservation economy. The 20-year extension will guarantee capital to expand and create new jobs and better opportunities for Arapaho people.” Added NABC Chairman Darrell O’Neal Sr., This will lead to hundreds of new jobs and a big boost to economic development in Fremont County.”
The extension will allow the tribe to obtain additional financing for a food court and hotel expansion at its Wind River Hotel & Casino near Riverton, as well as expand reservation infrastructure and housing. The plans will lead to about 300 new jobs in the next few years, tribal officials said, adding in the first five years of operations, casino jobs reduced tribal unemployment by 12.7 percent.
