Casino Planned For Medford

An Oregon tribe that operates a casino in Coos County hopes to open one in Medford. The Medford Mail Tribune reports the Coquille Indian Tribe has quietly bought Roxy Ann Bowling Lanes and the vacant building that was once home to Kim's restaurant and has leased an adjacent golf course.

Chief Kenneth Tanner said the tribe will seek to have the purchased property placed into a federal trust, paving the way to reservation status. Tanner told the paper that Medford is "one of the last good markets remaining without a casino in Oregon." He says plans are to level the restaurant for a parking lot and remodel the bowling alley, with part turned into a gambling area. He said getting the casino open could take two to three years.

The tribe has a casino in North Bend.