MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Oneida tribe would collect at least $3 million a year in banking fees in exchange for its support of the proposed Menominee casino in Kenosha, according to a newly released agreement between the tribes.
The agreement also gives the Oneida tribe the first chance to help finance the first phase of the casino, which the Menominee tribe hopes to build with help from Hard Rock International.
The Menominee promised in return not to advertise the Kenosha casino in broadcast markets north of Milwaukee, or in daily papers or on billboards in the Green Bay-Appleton market. That’s to avoid competing with the Oneida tribe’s casino near Green Bay, which is in the middle of a $27.9 million expansion. The Kenosha casino is expected to draw most of its customers from Illinois.
Gov. Scott Walker has said he’ll approve the $800 million Kenosha casino complex only if all Wisconsin tribes support it. Two tribes are currently opposed, the Forest County Potawatomi and the Ho-Chunk. Both fear it would cut into their own casino profits.
The agreement was posted on Oneidaeye.com, a website run by Leah Sue Dodge, a member of the Oneida tribe and critic of its leadership. Dodge said she obtained a copy from the tribal secretary’s office. The tribe announced its endorsement of the project Oct. 17, the same day it signed its agreement with the Menominee. Details were kept confidential initially.
Under the agreement, the Oneida tribe, acting through a bank it owns, would provide ATM and cash advance services at the casino that would generate $3 million in fees annually. The Oneida also would also get first crack at providing some or all of the $400 million in financing expected to be needed for the first phase of the project.
Dodge was critical of the tribal government even considering the loan, saying the tribe doesn’t have the money for it.
