The debate over a casino near LaCenter, Wash. is getting more contentious and the city of Vancouver has filed a lawsuit in an effort to block the project.

The Cowlitz Tribe of Wash. does not have a reservation; it’s a tribe without land.

And while Vancouver officials don’t necessarily oppose a new reservation near LaCenter, they don’t want a casino there. The proposed area is just 25 minutes north of downtown Portland, along Intersate-5.

If a casino was built, it would become the closest casino to Portland.

"It's the only way that the Cowlitz Tribe will have any possibility of any economic benefit for its 3,600 members," said Tribal Councilman Phil Harju.

He said the tribe deserves the land and its members have lived there for thousands of years.

"Of the 29 tribes in the State of Washington, the Cowlitz is the only landless tribe," he added.

Opponents complain of the increased congestion it would cause along I-5, among other issues.

Vancouver city leaders filed the lawsuit against the Indian Gaming Commission. It argues that “tribal casino-type gaming is only permitted on Indian lands” and “the Cowlitz Tribe has sought approval to build a casino on property which it does not own.”

The property is now owned by a private company and still could be transferred to the tribe.

Another complaint from the city is that the tribe does not have a gaming agreement with the state.

The lawsuit argues “without a compact, the Gaming Commission lacks jurisdiction to approve any gaming ordinance.”

"I think, clearly, the lawsuit is frivolous on its face. I'm not sure why the City of Vancouver is wasting its taxpayers' money,” Harju said

But Vancouver leaders maintain that they’re protecting the quality of life in their city.

If Vancouver wins the lawsuit, it won’t necessarily have the power to block the casino, but it would likely cause the tribe to re-start the whole process.

(KGW reporter Jack Penning also contributed to this article.)