The Pamunkey Indian Tribe gained federal recognition three years ago, making it eligible for federal funding and services. But Chief Robert Gray
said the tribe is considering opening a casino in New Kent County, Virginia to assure its financial independence. “Our primary goal is economic self-sufficiency. If it didn’t have to be casinos, that would be great. But the federal government has carved out certain rules that allow us to do this because they see it as an economic venture that works and allows us to gain the capital to find other opportunities to diversify.”
Even before proposing a casino, the tribe faced opposition to federal recognition from MGM Resorts International, owner of National Harbor Casino in Maryland. Now opposition has expanded since the Pamunkeys partnered with Tennessee-based Yarbrough Capital, which purchased a 600-acre property, located between Richmond and Williamsburg, for the tribe. Gray said the land may not be used for a casino. “That is just one possible location. We might use that location for other opportunities – housing, cultural resource, museum, medical facility. We have not made that decision yet,” he said.
At a public hearing last month, to which Gray was not invited, the county hired a law firm specializing in tribal gaming to answer questions about the federal land-trust process. Residents expressed concern that a casino could impact “family values,” increased traffic and undesirable development.
The tribe could be affected by changes taking place at the Department of Interior, according to Tom Foley, an attorney who addressed the public hearing. He said the land-trust process takes 8-10 years. “There’s just a lot of uncertainty with the rules and regulations. I’m guessing some of the changes will make the process slow down a bit more compared to the previous administration,” Foley said.
