Out-of-province gamblers sought

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An Ontario band wants Manitobans to cash in their chips at the Rat Portage casino.

The facility will attract people from both sides of the provincial border, says Chief George Kakeway. Motorists going east or west travel through Kenora, approximately a two-hour drive from Winnipeg, he said.

The huge American consortium, Gaming International Unlimited, is backing the band to the tune of $1.5 million to build a giant resort and casino complex in 1994.

But before the gambler's haven is completed, the band plans on opening a temporary casino housing 300 slot machines, blackjack tables and roulette. Kakeway believes casinoless Manitobans will make the drive to take advantage of the Ontario gaming facilities.

Phil Fontaine agrees. The Grand Chief of the Association of Manitoba Chiefs believes the provincial government should allow casinos on Manitoba reserves before potential business migrates to Ontario.

Gaming International Unlimited already attracts Manitobans to its casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota, draining approximately $100 million out of Manitoba each year, according to the provincial Lotteries Foundation.

Five southern Manitoba reserves opened casinos in late 1992 only to have RCMP and Dakota-Ojibway tribal police confiscate their gambling equipment in pre-dawn raids in January. Natives should meet with the provincial government to resolve the gaming issue as soon as possible, said Fontaine.

While the Manitoba government has strict gaming regulations, Fontaine argues reserves don't fall under provincial jurisdiction and that Natives have an inherent right to self-government. "That means we have the right to carry on whatever activities we deem necessary and gaming is one of those activities," he said in an earlier Windspeaker interview.

Meanwhile, Kakeway predicts his Ontario band stands to make $1 million a month off the slot machines and blackjack tables. He envisions even more of a profit when the casino complex is complete and running.

Gaming International will manage the proposed Golden Eagle Gaming and Entertainment Centre when it opens in October.