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Little Traverse Bay Bands consider Class II for second casino

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Odawa Casino Resort in in Petoskey, Michigan. Photo from Facebook

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians responded to questions about a second gaming facility in Michigan.

The tribe's official response to the village of Mackinaw City outlines plans for an initial facility with 64 gaming machines that would open in 2016 and an RV park that would open in 2017. If the market proves viable, the tribe anticipates adding more machines and a deli in the following years.

But the tribe has not determined whether it will offer Class II or Class III games, according to the document. The Class III gaming compact requires approval of a new facility by the local community.

The compact also requires the tribe to share 2 percent of Class III revenues with the community. The official response anticipates $50,000 a year from the initial facility, a figure that could grow to $125,000 to $250,000 a year pending further expansions.

If the tribe chooses to go with Class II games for any phase of the project, revenue sharing wouldn't be required.

The tribe operates the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey, about 37 miles away. The site in Mackinaw City -- which is already in trust -- used to house the shuttered Thunder Falls Family Water Park.

The village is holding a public hearing on Thursday, October 8, to discuss the project.

Get the Story:
Mackinaw City sets hearing on proposed casino development (The Cheboygan News 10/6)