Indian Gaming > Supreme Court asked to hear Nooksack casino case

December 3, 2009

Supreme Court asked to hear Nooksack casino case

An anti-gaming group is taking its case against the casino owned by the Nooksack Tribe of Washington to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The North County Community Alliance says the Nooksack Northwood Casino is not on Indian land, as that term is defined by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The group claims the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the tribe's gaming ordinance without looking into the issue.

So far, the courts have ruled against the group. But at least one judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals believes the Indian land issue should be heard.

Tom Williams of the group told The Lynden Tribune that “losers at lower levels have been winners at the Supreme Court."

The group's deadline to file a petition with the court is January 5, 2010.

Get the Story:
Casino status lawsuit will go to U.S. Supreme Court (The Lynden Tribune 12/2)

9th Circuit Decision:
North County Community Alliance v. Salazar (July 16, 2009)

District Court Decision:
North County Community Alliance v. Kempthorne (November 16, 2007)