New ads target proposed casino expansion

KESHENA - You may have seen a new television ad in recent weeks. It's a campaign targeting the expansion of off-reservation Indian gaming in the state.     

A group called Enough Already Wisconsin produced the commercial.

It's been airing on radio and television stations in our area and around the state.

The group is targeting the development of four planned casino sites. One's in our area, Sheboygan. The others are in the far southern part of the state, in Shullsburg, Beloit, and Kenosha.

But are there already enough casinos in this state?

The ad talks about slowing down when it comes to building new casinos. It also comes with a warning about what it calls questionable developers only interested in getting rich. But what about those investing in the new projects?  

"24 is a good number," is the message from a new television ad.

"Wisconsin has a delicate balance of casinos in this state. We got 24 casinos that generate $16 billion in our state annually," said Brian Nemoir, Enough Already, WI.

"Where we have casinos in the state, enough is enough," said Nemoir.

"But now, out-of-state developers want to build more," the ad continues.

"It taxes the state as a whole. It puts social burdens on communities, it creates competition for the dollars that are spent on gaming," said Nemoir.

The Menominee Nation plans to expand its casino to Kenosha.

"We're looking at an $800 million project," said Craig Corn, Menominee Tribal Chairman.

Corn says the plan is moving forward. The tribe's application has been forwarded to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.

"This is our attempt with this off-reservation casino in Kenosha to help improve the quality of life for our tribal members," said Corn.

The Kenosha plan would develop the former Dairyland Dog Track, less than 40 miles from the Potawatomi casino in Milwaukee.

Corn says he has seen the ad, and has some questions.

"I don't know for sure who is running the ads. Historically we have had our opposition to the project," said Corn.

So who is behind the campaign? Enough Already, WI incorporated November 1. There is a three-member board of directors. Brian Nemoir started the coalition, but stopped short when asked about who is behind the ads.

"Is this enough campaign associated with the Potawatomi of Forest County? We don't disclose our donor base, and we got a broad coalition of people that support preventing off-reservation gaming expansion in the state," said Nemoir.

A spokesperson for the Potawatomi tribe would not comment on the ad itself. Our calls to the tribal chairman have gone unreturned.
 
Meanwhile, the Menominee are talking to developers, in-state, and out.

"We don't just go into this thinking that oh, it's a good thing. We did our homework. We've had two feasibility studies done and both of the feasibility studies report that the market is there," said Corn.

The Menominee hope to get federal approval of the application by the start of the year.

Governor Scott Walker still has to approve any off-reservation proposal.