Gaming commission ends contractors management of tribal casinos

Employees of 2 casinos run by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma will take over management after a 5-year contract extension with an outside contractor was nullified.

Tribal Governor Darrell Flyingman (FLY-ing man) says control will pass Saturday from the management team of Minneapolis-based Southwest Casino and Hotel Ventures to the casino staff.

The tribal governor says cutting out the middleman will save them five- to $$6-million a year.

The Minnesota company has managed the Lucky Star Casinos since 1993.

The tribal Legislature approved a contract extension last month without Flyingmans signature. But the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled yesterday that the tribal Constitution requires the tribal governor to negotiate and sign such deals.

2007-05-21