The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in northern Wisconsin announced it will withhold from the state 3,000 in casino revenue as promised, due to the Ho-Chunk Nation’s expansion of its casino in nearby Wittenberg. Stockbridge-Munsee Band President Shannon Holsey said, “What I’m saying is until our dispute can be resolved, we have the ability to withhold it within our gaming compact and that’s what we intend to do.” The money has been deposited in an escrow account, Holsey said.
The tribe filed a federal lawsuit to stop the expansion which it claims is illegal since the Wittenberg casino is supposed to ancillary. A study commissioned by the tribe indicated the Stockbridge-Munsee’s casino in Bowler would lose $22 million a year in revenue if the Ho-Chunk expanded Wittenberg, which is 17 miles closer to the Wausau metropolitan area on a major highway. “It’s difficult for us, because our casino is the only casino in the state that’s not on a major highway or a major through-way. We have to be creative about how we attract and retain, but at the end of the day, we want to be the casino of choice regardless of what is happening,” Holsey said.
The Wisconsin Department of Administration sided with the Ho-Chunk Nation, prompting the lawsuit. In April the Ho-Chunk Nation issued a statement calling the lawsuit “frivolous” and accusing the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of slander.
