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A Manitoba first nations leader is accusing the province of ?underhanded dealings? in adding a new Winnipeg gaming centre, despite previous concerns the local casino market is saturated.
?I do believe there?s been some underhanded dealings here and I?m disappointed by it,? Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said Thursday.
He questioned the province?s decision to stress a new gaming room planned across from MTS Centre is not a casino.
?I think it?s very clear that whatever they?re building in downtown is a casino and we have reviewed it preliminarily,? said Nepinak.
The province received a Manitoba First Nation Gaming Market Study back in 2007, which found Winnipeg was ?saturated? with casinos, just as First Nations lobbied the province for more.
Dave Chomiak, the minister responsible for gaming at the time, wouldn?t rule out new casinos because of their potential to earn revenue for First Nations.
But a later decision to locate the next First Nations casino near Carberry, not Winnipeg, might have been swayed by the report?s findings.
The province confirmed Wednesday that a new gaming facility owned by True North Sports and Entertainment will feature 140 slot machines, plus blackjack and roulette tables. The gaming room is part of the deal that attracted the Winnipeg Jets owner to bring the NHL team back to the city in 2011, said Steve Ashton, the current minister responsible for lotteries.
Ashton told media the 5,000-foot gaming centre would bring in about $4 million of revenue per year for True North.
In a statement Thursday night, a provincial spokesman noted that the gaming centre's machines and tables were reallocated from other Winnipeg sites.
"Our partnership with AMC on gaming has worked well and we remain committed to our agreement," the statement said.
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