The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians defended plans for an off-reservation casino amid criticism from other Michigan tribes.

The Little River Band wants to open a casino at a former racetrack in Fruitport Township. The site is about 80 miles from the tribe's headquarters but it's within the tribe's nine-county service area.

The tribe negotiated amendments to its Class III gaming compact for the casino. The tribe also has agreements with local governments to cover police services and municipal services to the site.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians oppose the casino. They say the Little River Band violated the terms of the original compact.

"All of the tribes in Michigan have signed gaming compacts with the state, including the Little River Band, which promise in writing that we would not conduct gaming off our reservation lands without the agreement of all the tribes," the three tribes said in a statement, The Muskegon Chronicle reported.

The tribe has acquired a total of 233 acres for the proposed casino. According to news reports, the tribe plans to file a land-into-trust application for 60 acres.

Get the Story:
Supporters, opponents to face off on Fruitport casino plan (The Muskegon Chronicle 5/27)

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Bill introduced on Little River Band off-reservation casino (4/14)
Editorial: Support Little River Band off-reservation casino (3/29)
Little River Band wins support for two casino agreements (3/23)
Little River Band signs compact for off-reservation casino (3/22)