Sunday, March 26, 2006

"Melanie Gambler, chairwoman of the Northern Arapaho Gaming Agency, said she has been busy training staff to manage and run games such as blackjack. She said she expects to hear from the U.S. Department of Interior about full expansion to Las Vegas-style gambling within two weeks.

"Jim Conrad, manager of the tribe's Wind River Casino, reported that financing is nearly resolved and should be finalized within two weeks. He said the current operation has 428 electronic gaming machines and 150 employees.

"Gambler said she has met with Fremont County commissioners to discuss their traffic concerns at the current Wind River Casino site just south of Riverton. Commissioner Doug Thompson said the in-and-out traffic from the casino is high, particularly on weekend nights.

"…Edward Wadda, the state's tribal liaison for the Eastern Shoshone, reported that his tribe continues to pursue casino gambling, working with the state on a gaming compact and meeting with the state attorney general two weeks ago…"