Indian tribe in Kansas suing Harrah's over new casino plans

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has filed suit in Kansas against Harrah's Entertainment Inc. over a casino proposal, it was reported today. The Indian tribe is suing the gambling giant for allegedly violating a noncompeting agreement by pursuing development of a new casino in Sumner County. Harrah's Entertainment operated the Prairie Band Casino for almost a decade until July 2007 and is now working with a Topeka investment group to build one of the four new casinos in the state, namely the one in Sumter County. According to the lawsuit, Harrah's Entertainment Inc. "active involvement in a proposed casino in Sumner County, Kansas is a clear violation of the noncompete agreement."

The Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board is expected to decide on Friday who will get the casino contract - Harrah's, Penn National Gaming Inc. or Marvel Gaming. "As far as I'm concerned it's not one of the questions before us. They didn't file the lawsuit with us. I intend to only address the question of which is the best contract, and any other legal issues outside of that will be addressed in an appropriate forum," Board Chairman Matt All addressed the lawsuit filed against the casino operator.

Published on 08/20/2008