Little Traverse Bay Bands ends payment to state in casino dispute

Tuesday, November 9, 2010  

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians won't be sharing any money with the state as long as another tribe's off-reservation casino remains open.

Under its Class III gaming compact, the tribe makes a six percent economic incentive payment to the state. Chairman Ken Harrington said the Bay Mills Indian Community off-reservation casino violates the deal.

"There was a lot of careful thought put into this over the weekend, and we hope this will be enough, the state will have an understanding that what [Bay Mills is[ doing is wrong, and they'll close this thing down," Harrington told KLUC-TV.

The Bay Mills Indian Community opened the casino last week on land that apparently has not been placed in trust.

Get the Story:
Odawa Indians to State: No more economic incentive payment (KLUC-TV 11/8)

Related Stories:
Bay Mills Indian Community defends legality of gaming operation (11/8)
Bay Mills Indian Community mum following purchase of more land (11/5)
Michigan tribes push for closure of Bay Mills off-reservation casino (11/4)
Bay Mills Indian Community opens off-reservation casino after all (11/3)
Bay Mills Indian Community rejects speculation over casino bid (10/25)