Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Seek Approval of South Dakota Casino

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe has asked for federal approval of its plan to build a new casino along Interstate 90 near the central South Dakota town of Oacoma.

Tribal Chairman Michael Jandreau says he met Wednesday with federal officials to present an application seeking the Interior Department's determination that it would be in the tribe's best interest to build a casino on the land five miles outside its reservation.

If the U.S. Interior Department approves the plan, the new casino still could not be built unless South Dakota Gov. Dennis Dauagaard also agrees.

Daugaard has said he will not weigh in on the plan until the Interior Department makes a decision.

If a casino is built in Oacoma, the tribe would close its casino in Lower Brule.

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