Federal leaders have not made a final decision about the proposed Broken Arrow casino

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - The next chapter in the Broken Arrow casino battle continues on Friday when federal leaders respond to the questions on whether the property is eligible for gaming.

According to leaders with the National Indian Gaming Commission, there has been no determination about whether the land at 111th St. and 129th East Ave is eligible for gaming.

Already the proposed "Red Clay Casino" has been publicly opposed by city leaders, state leaders, residents, neighbors and even the chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

"It doesn't belong here, that's the only thing I know to say," said Broken Arrow resident, Jim Gorrell.

Congressman John Sullivan (R, Tulsa) is spearheading the effort to put a stop to the Kialegee Tribe's casino.

Sullivan and Senator Tom Coburn have written letters to the top officials with the NIGC and presented thousands of signatures on a petition against the casino.

"It's so important we keep the pressure, we continue to keep the pressure on these groups as they make their decision, we inform them of any developments that we find out and we're going to continue to do that until we get this thing derailed," said Sullivan.

Leaders with NIGC and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are the only ones who can pull the plug on the entire project, so far they're moving carefully.

"All the decision makers, at the National Indian Gaming Commission at the federal level are being very cautious because they know everyone is looking at this from many different angles and many different eyes are looking at it," said Sullivan.

Which means the final decision could be months away and that time could be critical for a Broken Arrow elementary school slated for construction just down the road.

"I think we've got about three or four weeks before we have to make some type of decision on our end whether we're going to move forward with the building on our site or move sites," said Broken Arrow Superintendent, Dr. Jared Mendenhall.

Sullivan is working on legislation now to make sure a casino so close to schools, churches or neighbors won't be allowed to open.

"If casinos can just go in anywhere, I think that's something that we need to be very, very concerned about, our biggest concern is the safety and security of the kids," said Mendenhall.

"I don't drive by there because I'll just get upset," said Gorrell.

Representatives from the Kialegee Tribe say tell 2News are in compliance with the laws and they don't see any reason why the property would be ineligible for gaming and they plan to continue with construction.