Um, Yeah...So About That Whole Gambling Thing...

Somehow, I don't think a simple "My bad" would do here...

Casino built where gambling is illegal
September 20, 2006

ST. IGNACE, Mich. Gambling is the only thing missing from a new Indian casino in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, mistakenly built in an area where gambling is illegal.

The $36 million Kewadin Shores Casino and Hotel opened in June and has restaurants, a lounge and an indoor pool, overlooking Lake Huron's Horseshoe Bay north of the Mackinac Bridge.

But its 29,000-square-foot casino with 800 slot machines and 26 gambling tables has been unable to operate because the U.S. government says part of the casino was built on land where Indian gambling is not allowed.

Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians are debating who was responsible for the mistake, with the tribe's current and former chairmen blaming each other, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.

Link

My favorite part of the story is this:

"Payment knew about the problem before I left office and has had 2 1/2 years to work it out," former Chairman Bernard Bouschor said. "It wasn't me. It was a nice try by him to blame me, but I don't accept any responsibility for his screw-up."

Spoken like a true politician. Maybe the next step will be to have a WWE-style throwdown between Bouschor and Payment.

And does anyone find it odd that a Native American tribe leader who monumentally screwed up a business deal goes by the name "Payment"? Or is that just me?