Judge rules in Little Traverse casino payment case

Friday, February 27, 2009  

A judge in Michigan has struck down a formula used to distribute casino payments from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

Under its Class III gaming compact, the tribe shares 2 percent of electronic gaming revenues from the Odawa Casino Resort with local communities. The Emmet County Local Revenue Sharing Board decides how to distribute the funds.

Three educational institutions sued the board, saying they are entitled to a larger share of the funds because the tribe has made improvements to the casino site. The fund takes into account the assessed value of the tribe's land.

The judge agreed that the board needs to redo the formula in order to account for the land improvements. The tribe is not a party to the suit.

Get the Story:
Court rules against Emmet Co. revenue sharing board (The Ludington Daily News 2/26)