"The long battle over a proposed Indian casino in eastern Allegan County is essentially over. Opponents have exhausted their legal appeals, and the Interior Department has taken 147 acres at U.S. 131 and 129th Street in Wayland Township into trust for the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians.

The $200 million casino, which could be open for business by the middle of next year, doubtlessly will benefit members of the small tribe and the investors backing the casino. However, no one should expect the Gun Lake casino will provide a major economic stimulus for Allegan County.

Casinos are generally not serious economic development tools for surrounding communities. Perhaps if the Gun Lake casino was the first of its kind in Michigan, it might expect to draw people from a broad area. However, with more than 20 Indian casinos already in operation in the state, the Gun Lake Band only figures to draw West Michigan residents — rearranging entertainment spending patterns but not bringing much new business to the area. The planned opening of the FireKeepers casino near Battle Creek and the prospect that another Indian casino might be built in Muskegon County will only further chip away at the Gun Lake casino’s market. Meanwhile, the huge Four Winds casino in New Buffalo should continue to sop up business from the Chicago market. Based on our state’s woeful economic performance, Michigan’s status as the Nevada of the North hasn’t done much to spur economic development."

Get the Story:
OUR VIEW - Don't bet on gambling to spur economy (The Holland Sentinel 1/31)

Another Story:
Casino ready to cash in on 'trust' (The Grand Rapids Press 1/31)