What tribe has never been federally recognized, therefore they will never own a casino?CherokeeChoctawTunica-BiloxiHouma

Breakdown of the Problem

1. We need to identify which of the given tribes—Cherokee, Choctaw, Tunica-Biloxi, or Houma—has never been federally recognized.
2. Determine the implications of federal recognition in the context of casino ownership.

Relevant Concepts

1. Federally Recognized Tribe: A tribe that has a formal relationship with the federal government and is recognized for federal benefits.
2. Casino Ownership: Only federally recognized tribes can operate casinos under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Analysis and Detail

1. Cherokee: There are federally recognized Cherokee tribes, specifically the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band.
2. Choctaw: The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is federally recognized and operates casinos.
3. Tunica-Biloxi: The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is also federally recognized and has established a casino.
4. Houma: The Houma people, specifically the Houma Tribe of Louisiana, have not gained federal recognition.

Verify and Summarize

Upon reviewing the status of each tribe, the Houma tribe is the only one among the options presented that lacks federal recognition. This means they cannot operate a casino legally, unlike the other tribes mentioned.

Final Answer

The tribe that has never been federally recognized and therefore will never own a casino is the Houma.