Michigan tribes question Sault Tribe off-reservation casino plan


The FireKeepers Casino. Photo from Facebook

Plans for off-reservation casinos violate the Class III gaming compact, according to a spokesperson for two tribes in Michigan.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians must obtain the consent of all compact signatories, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians and Saginaw Chippewa Tribe said. Otherwise, the state will lose its share of tribal gaming revenues.

"The Sault Tribe’s announced off-reservation casinos in Romulus and Lansing will undoubtedly cause great harm the state of Michigan," James Nye, a spokesperson for the two tribes, said today. “The gaming compacts clearly require a written agreement between all of the tribes before this action can occur."

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band operates the FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, about 48 miles from Lansing. The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe operates the Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mt. Pleasant, about 72 miles from Lansing.

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