The state of Wisconsin has had a large empty space in their state budget due to a gambling compact dispute between the state and the Ho-Chunk Tribe. The dispute has now been resolved and the tribe has agreed to pay the state $60 million immediately.

The $60 million payment is $12 million short of what the state said the tribe owed but the deal was struck as it had been a long drawn out fight. The state will be taking $1.5 million of that money to pay for legal fees. The tribe has agreed to pay the state five percent of winnings or revenue after a payout at the casinos they own that are below $350 million. The state would receive five point five percent for anything above the $350 million.

The old compact had the tribe paying six percent tax on winnings and other tribes in the area pay six point five and four point five. The new agreement is now on for twenty five years. The Ho-Chunk tribe own casinos in Baraboo, Black River Falls, Nekoosa and Tomah. Each casino offers players Las Vegas style games.

"While neither the Ho-Chunk Nation nor the state got everything we asked for, we are happy that this matter has come to a long anticipated conclusion," said Ho-Chunk Nation President Wilfrid Cleveland.

"With this compact, we can now put these disputes behind us and work together in the future," said Department of Administration Secretary Michael Morgan.

Both parties worked with an arbitrator as ordered by a federal judge back in June. The governor of Wisconsin stated that the arbitration was thorough and both parties worked toward the conclusion of the disagreement.



- 2008-09-18