NIGC’s approval came nearly a decade after it gave the proposed casino in Carter Lake, Iowa the thumbs up, according to the U.S. News.

The Ponca tribe had wanted to build a casino in the area since 2003 but the land where the gambling facility would be constructed was subject to a legal question before the court.

Ponca Tribal chairman Larry Wright, Jr. hailed the NIGC’s decision, saying that the casino they are planning to build will provide significant new resources for the tribe and its members.

“This is an economic engine that will help our tribe move forward and diversify into other areas,” Wright said.

Under the initial plan of the Ponca Tribe, the casino will have 2,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a 150-room hotel. It estimates the project would create 1,800 jobs.

The states of Iowa and Nebraska, however, aren’t happy about the new casino plan since the area, particularly the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is already teeming with several casinos.