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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.8


                       MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of December 1, 1999, by and
between DOUGLAS PATTISON (hereinafter called "Executive") and the Mississippi
Band of Choctaw Indians d/b/a CHOCTAW RESORT DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE
(hereinafter called "Employer").

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE:

Employer hereby employs Executive as CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of SILVER STAR
RESORT AND CASINO on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated. Executive
hereby agrees that during the term of his employment hereunder, he will
faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability and experience
perform all duties that may be required of him by virtue of his position as
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of SILVER STAR RESORT AND CASINO to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Board of Directors of Employer and in accordance with all
applicable laws and regulations. The employment pursuant to this Agreement
shall be considered full-time employment, such that Executive shall devote
necessary time, attention and energy to Employer's business and shall not
during the term of this Agreement accept other employment for gain or profit
without the prior written consent of Employer. However, the acceptance of
full-time employment under this Agreement will not restrict Executive from
making investments in other business enterprises, (so long as such other
businesses do not compete with Employer and do not violate any conflict of
interest restrictions of the Employer). The Executive shall refrain during
the term of this Agreement from using his official authority or influence for
the purpose of affecting the result of a Tribal election or legislation, and
he shall not knowingly solicit, accept or make a political contribution for
the purpose of affecting the result of a Tribal election or legislation. This
shall not be construed to prohibit Executive from making recommendations or
expressing his opinions on matters related to his duties as CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER of SILVER STAR RESORT AND CASINO. On or before May 1, 2000, Executive
shall submit to the Board of Directors of Employer for their approval a six
(6) year performance goals report and the report shall be updated on at least
an annual basis thereafter during the term of this Agreement. The report
shall be "bottom line" oriented and shall further address other good business
practices, including but not limited to strategic planning, expansion,
employee training and career enhancement for the Tribal members employed by
Silver Star Resort and Casino.

Section 2. COMPENSATION:

           (a) BASE SALARY. Employer agrees to pay to Executive as compensation
           for the services to be performed by him during the term of his
           employment hereunder, a base salary at the rate of $400,000.00 per
           annum subject to increase as determined by the Board of Directors of
           the Employer during the term of this Agreement. At the

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           end of the third year of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of
           the Employer shall review the base salary of Executive and shall
           increase the base salary of Executive solely in the discretion of
           the Board of Directors of the Employer based on the attainment of
           performance goals, which goals shall be established by the
           Executive in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the
           Employer. In the event the base salary of the Executive is
           increased, the increased base salary shall be effective October 1,
           2002. Any increase in base salary shall also increase the
           compensation cap of Section 2.(c). Such base salary shall be
           payable in equal monthly installments throughout the term of this
           Agreement, or in such other installments as shall be agreed to by
           the parties.

           (b) INCENTIVE BONUS. The Employer shall pay Executive an annual
           incentive bonus based on two percent (2%) of the base amount. The
           base amount shall be the net earnings of Silver Star Resort and
           Casino before incentive bonus less the sum of One Hundred Thirty-five
           Million Dollars ($135,000,000.00) and exclusive of interest
           attributable to loans paid by SILVER STAR RESORT AND CASINO which are
           not a part of the budget submitted by Executive or specially approved
           by the Tribal Council upon the recommendation of the Executive and
           exclusive of interest or expense attributable to the Termination
           Agreement entered into with BOYD GAMING CORPORATION on October 10,
           1999. The first year's incentive bonus shall be paid within ninety
           days after the annual final audited amounts are determined for fiscal
           year 2000. The first year's bonus shall be computed beginning
           February 1, 2000. Thereafter each annual bonus shall be paid within
           ninety days after the final audited amounts are determined. The first
           year's incentive bonus for the year ending September 30, 2000, shall
           be calculated based on two percent (2%) of net earnings for the
           period February 1, 2000 through September 30,2000, less eight
           twelfths (8/12ths) of One Hundred Thirty-five Million Dollars
           ($135,000,000.00). Eight twelfths (8/12ths) of One Hundred
           Thirty-five Million Dollars ($135,000,000.00) is Ninety Million
           Dollars ($90,000,000.00).

           (c) COMPENSATION CAP. During the term of this Agreement, the total
           base salary and incentive bonus payable to Executive shall be subject
           to a compensation cap as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     FYE 09/30                  Base Salary               Incentive Bonus                            Total
     ---------                  -----------               ---------------                            -----
<S>                             <C>                       <C>
     2000                         333,333                     316,667                              650,000
     2001                         400,000                     300,000                              700,000
     2002                         400,000                     350,000                              750,000
     2003                         400,000                     400,000                              800,000
     2004                         400,000                     400,000                              800,000
     2005                         400,000                     400,000                              800,000
</TABLE>

           (d) FRINGE BENEFITS. Employer shall provide Executive those fringe
           benefits offered by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians d/b/a
           Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise, including but not limited to,
           health care and retirement benefits, travel and other business
           expenses and leave time provided regular

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           full-time executive employees. In addition, Employer shall provide
           Executive with the following benefits during the term of
           employment as CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of SILVER STAR RESORT AND
           CASINO.

                      1. Employer shall provide Executive with a relocation
                      allowance of $80,000.00 for all relocation expenses of
                      Executive. One half (1/2) of such relocation allowance
                      shall be paid on January 1, 2000 and the balance shall be
                      paid within ten (10) days after Executive provides written
                      notice of the closing of the sale of Executive's home in
                      Memphis, Tennessee.

                      2. Employer shall provide Executive with the use of an
                      automobile, owned by Employer, with such automobile to be
                      traded every three (3) years or sooner with the approval
                      of the Board of Directors of Employer. Insurance, upkeep
                      and maintenance, and gas for the automobile provided
                      Executive shall be paid by Employer.

                      3. Employer shall pay all reasonable costs associated
                      with the licensing of the Executive.

Section 3. TERM AND RENEWAL:

           (a) The term of this Agreement shall commence on December 1, 1999,
           and end on September 30, 2005, unless automatically renewed pursuant
           to Section 3(b) or unless sooner terminated in accordance with
           Section 4.

           (b) On the expiration date and each subsequent annual anniversary
           date thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew each year
           for an additional one-year term, unless either party provides the
           other party with a written notice of nonrenewal at least thirty (30)
           days prior to the September 30, 2005, expiration date or the annual
           anniversary dates thereafter.

Section 4. TERMINATION:

           (a) MUTUAL AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
           upon the mutual written agreement of the parties.

           (b) DISABILITY. If Executive is unable to perform his duties
           hereunder due to illness or disability for a period of ninety (90)
           consecutive days, then Employer may at its option hire a replacement
           and/or terminate this Agreement, and Employer shall pay salary and
           bonus earned through the effective date of termination and any
           benefits that have vested prior to such termination.

           (c) DEATH. If Executive dies during the term of this Agreement, this
           Agreement shall automatically terminate, and Employer shall pay to
           the estate of Executive any portion of the salary and bonus earned by
           Executive and any benefits that have vested in Executive pursuant to
           this Agreement prior to termination. Employer shall procure and
           maintain level premium term life insurance on the life of the
           Executive with an insurer selected by Employer in an amount at least
           equal to the base salary of

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           Executive as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement, provided,
           however, in the event Executive is or becomes uninsurable,
           Employer shall be under no obligation to obtain insurance coverage
           on the life of the Executive. Employer shall pay the normal and
           customary premium for such life insurance and, in the event the
           normal and customary premium is insufficient to maintain such life
           insurance coverage as a result of a condition affecting the
           insurability of Executive, Executive shall pay any amount of
           premium in excess of the normal and customary premium for such
           life insurance. Upon the death of the Executive, an amount equal
           to the base salary of Executive shall be paid to the Estate of the
           Executive. In the event Employer elects to obtain insurance on the
           life of the Executive in excess of an amount equal to the base
           salary of Executive, Employer shall pay all premiums attributable
           to such excess life insurance coverage and all insurance proceeds
           in excess of the base salary of Executive shall be paid to
           Employer on the death of Executive. Executive shall execute any
           and all documents and perform any and all actions required by
           Employer or insurer in order to obtain and maintain the life
           insurance coverage on the life of the Executive.

           (d) EMPLOYER UNILATERAL TERMINATION OR NONRENEWAL. Employer may
           immediately terminate the employment of Executive pursuant to this
           Agreement upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors of Employer
           in the event (i) Executive is convicted of any felony, (ii) Executive
           violates this Agreement, Employer Bylaws, or Tribal, state or federal
           laws or regulations relating to Employer operations that would result
           in any gaming license of the Executive being revoked, (iii) Executive
           violates the prohibition against Executive having an interest in an
           enterprise that competes with Employer, or violation of Employer's
           conflict of interest restrictions, including but not limited to
           outside employment and Tribal political activity, (iv) Employer's
           business is sold or discontinued or (v) Executive fails to perform to
           the best of his abilities to achieve the performance goals directly
           within his control as set forth in the approved performance goals
           report pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement. Employer's only
           obligation shall be to pay any portion of the salary and bonus earned
           by Executive and any benefits that have been vested in Executive
           pursuant to this Agreement prior to termination.

           (e) BUSINESS CLOSURE OR SALE. Employer may terminate the employment
           of Executive in the event Employer sells or closes its facilities
           located at SILVER STAR RESORT AND CASINO. Employer's only obligation
           shall be to pay any portion of the salary and bonus earned by
           Executive and any benefits that have been vested in Executive
           pursuant to this Agreement prior to termination.

           (f) RESIGNATION. The Executive may terminate this Agreement at any
           time effective upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to
           Employer. Employer's only obligation shall be to pay any portion of
           the salary and bonus earned by Executive and any benefits that have
           been vested in Executive pursuant to this Agreement prior to
           termination.

           (g) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LICENSE. Employer may terminate employment of
           the Executive immediately in the event Executive fails to maintain at
           all times a valid

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           license from the Choctaw Gaming Commission, fails to be approved
           by the Choctaw Gaming Commission as a result of any background
           investigation of Executive conducted at any time during the term
           of this Agreement by the Choctaw Gaming Commission or in the event
           any gaming license of Executive in any other jurisdiction is
           revoked for any reason.

Section 5. REPORTING ADVERSE ACTIONS:

           Executive shall notify the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Employer in writing within one (1) working day of any investigation, proposed
adverse action or other adverse action, whether final or not, taken by any
licensing authority against him in any jurisdiction.

Section 6. EMPLOYER PROPERTY:

           Executive agrees that upon termination, expiration or resignation,
he will promptly return to Employer any property owned by Employer.

Section 7. CONFIDENTIALITY:

           Employer has developed and compiled, at substantial cost, certain
products, technology, commercial data, financial data and other materials and
information that are confidential and proprietary in nature. Executive agrees
to maintain the confidentiality of any such products, technology, commercial
data, financial data, and other materials and information developed or
produced by Employer, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, or the
predecessors, successors or affiliated companies of any of them of which
Executive gains knowledge or access by reason of his employment relationship
with Employer. Executive further agrees that he will not use or disclose any
of such information unless (a) it is in the business or for the benefit of
Employer, (b) the information has already been made public without any
participation by Executive, (c) disclosure is required by law or regulation,
or (d) Employer, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, or Employer's
predecessors, successors or affiliates, consents in writing to the disclosure.

Section 8. SEVERABILITY:

           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Mississippi. Exclusive venue and jurisdiction
shall be in the Tribal Court of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. It
is agreed that if any clause or provision of this Agreement is found by the
court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the rest of Agreement shall
not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be
enforced as if the Agreement did not contain such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable clause or provision.

Section 9. WAIVER OF PROVISIONS:

           Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on
performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of relinquishment of any right
granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such

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term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless
such waiver is contained in a writing signed by or on behalf of both parties.

Section 10. NOTICES:

            Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder
shall be deemed sufficiently given if personally delivered or sent by
registered or certified mail, postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the
party to be notified as follows:

            (a) If to Employer:  Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
                                 d/b/a Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise
                                 Chief Phillip Martin
                                 Chairman of the Board
                                 Tribal Office Building
                                 P.O. Box 6010, Choctaw Branch
                                 Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350

            (b) If to Executive: Douglas Pattison
                                 3318 Clubhill
                                 Memphis TN 38125

or in each case to such other address as either party may from time to time
designate in writing to the other. Such notice or communication shall be
deemed to have been given as of the date so mailed or personally delivered as
provided in this Section 10.

Section 11. MODIFICATION AND AMENDMENT:

            This Agreement contains the sole and entire Agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any such prior
agreements, shall, from and after the date hereof, be null and void. Except
as otherwise specifically provided, the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties,
provided that before any amendment shall be valid or effective, it shall have
been reduced to writing and signed by the Chairman of the Board and by
Executive.

Section 12. BINDING EFFECT:

            This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
Employer, its successors and assigns, and upon Executive, his administrators,
executors, legatees, heirs and assigns.

Section 13. INDIAN PREFERENCE.

            The Executive recognizes the principle of Choctaw
Self-Determination and will employ, train, promote or discharge employees of
Employer in compliance with the policy of Indian preference, including formal
and on the job training at the management level, with an annual report to be
made through the Chief to the Tribal Council. A career tracking system will

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be established by the Tribe and Employer to allow Choctaw college students to
work for Employer with follow-up and support provided.

Section 14. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.

           (a) RESTRICTIONS. In consideration of the confidential information
           disclosed to Executive and as an inducement to Employer to enter into
           this Agreement and to pay the compensation referred to herein,
           Executive agrees that, unless otherwise agreed in writing by
           Employer, during the term of this Agreement and continuing until the
           end of eighteen (18) months following termination of his employment
           pursuant to Section 4(f), (Resignation) or pursuant to Section 4(g)
           (Failure to Maintain License), Executive shall not enter negotiations
           for any investment in or employment or services with or on behalf of
           any competitor of Employer. For purposes of this Agreement a
           competitor of Employer is considered to be any business that provides
           resort/casino facilities within the State of Mississippi and/or
           resort/casino facilities owned by an Indian Tribe in the State of
           Louisiana. For purposes of this Section, prohibited "negotiations" by
           Executive shall include the direct or indirect discussions of
           investments in a competitor or contractual arrangements for
           consulting, employment or other services, either as an individual or
           as a partner, employee, member, officer, director, or shareholder of
           any legal entity. In the event the employment of the Executive is
           terminated by the Employer, with or without cause, the above
           restrictions shall be inapplicable. Notwithstanding any other
           provision of this Agreement, Executive further agrees that for a
           period of twelve (12) months following the termination of this
           Agreement for any reason, Executive shall not for himself or on
           behalf of any other person, firm, partnership or corporation,
           directly or indirectly, solicit any employee of the Mississippi Band
           of Choctaw Indians or any of its enterprises or affiliated companies
           for the purpose of competing with the Employer, nor shall Executive
           directly or indirectly solicit, make known or divulge the name,
           identities or addresses of any of the customers of the Employer nor
           utilize nor make use of any of said customers for the purpose of
           competing with the Employer.

           (b) REMEDIES. Executive has carefully read and considered the
           provisions of this Section, and having done so, agrees that the
           restrictions are fair and reasonable and are reasonably required for
           the protection of the investment of Employer and do not prevent
           Executive from earning a livelihood in the event of termination of
           employment pursuant to this Agreement. In the event of a breach or
           threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this
           Section, Employer, in addition to and not in limitation of other
           rights, remedies or damages available to Employer at law or in
           equity, shall be entitled to a permanent injunction in order to
           prevent or restrain any such breach by Executive or by Executive's
           future partners, employers, or any other third persons acting
           directly or indirectly for or with Executive.

           (c) REFORMATION. In the event that any of the provisions of this
           Section 14 shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of
           law, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue to be valid
           and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable parts had not
           been included, and the restrictions on time and locations

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           of practice may be reformed by the court so as not to exceed the
           maximum time period or location restrictions which the court deems
           reasonable and enforceable.



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               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement effective as of the date first above mentioned.


                                                             MISSISSIPPI BAND OF
                                                                 CHOCTAW INDIANS
                                                            D/B/A CHOCTAW RESORT
                                                  ATTEST: DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE


/s/ Rufus Tubby                        By: /s/ Phillip Martin
-----------------------------              -----------------------------------
Rufus Tubby, Acting Secretary              Phillip Martin, Tribal Chief and
                                           Chairman of the Board of Directors


                                                                      EXECUTIVE


                                           /s/ Douglas Pattison
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Douglas Pattison

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