"And if opening a casino is one of the ways they can do that, then fine."
The agent said he was seeking legislation to allow him to open a casino.
By the fall of 1996, they expect to open a 150,000-square-foot casino with 3,000 slot machines and 180 table games.
After Congress passed a 1988 law enabling tribes to open casinos, state officials decided that they wanted a share in the industry.
But first the Shinnecocks must establish that they have the right to open a casino.
In 1899, he refused to sell the island for an enormous amount of money to a man who intended to open a casino there.
But the tribe plans to open a 68,000-square-foot casino on a 250-acre tract that is not part of their 32-acre reservation.
But as more states race to open casinos, cracks may also be opening in the licensing and hiring process.
Others worry that the Abenaki may use recognition as a step toward opening a casino.
The tribes went to court to regain title to the land with the intention of opening a casino.
