Cherokees 'Disappointed' With Keetoowah Casino

The Cherokee Nation says it is "disappointed" with an agreement between Oklahoma's attorney general and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees regarding the Keetoowah's casino.

The Cherokees said Saturday that the Keetoowah's are operating an illegal casino inside the Cherokee's boundaries in eastern Oklahoma.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Friday that the Keetoowahs will pay $2 million in damages and must end gaming operations by the end of July unless the tribe obtains federal trust status for the land in Tahlequah where the casino has operated since 1986.

Placing the land in trust recognizes it as Indian land, a requirement under Oklahoma law for a casino.

The Tahlequah-based Cherokees say they oppose placing land into trust for other Indian tribes located within Cherokee jurisdiction.