BILOXI, Mississippi -- As reported by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: "Opinions of local officials will be crucial in determining if the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will be allowed to open a casino in Jackson County, a federal official said Wednesday during the Southern Gaming Summit.
"The Gulf Coast Gaming Summit has more than 2,000 attendees and is the largest one outside Las Vegas.
"Tribal gaming is a major topic at the two-day conference because the Mississippi Choctaws are seeking to build a $375 million resort along Mississippi 57 near I-10. County officials have scheduled a nonbinding referendum on Nov. 6.
"...Mississippi's regulated casinos brought in $2.6 billion in gaming revenues in 2006. State and local governments received $273.5 million in taxes on casinos for fiscal 2006, which ended last June.
"The Choctaws, who operate Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos near Philadelphia, have their own Gaming Commission, and its members have more experience than the three members of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, said Bea Carson, a member of the Choctaw Gaming Commission..."