Little River Band awaits vote for off-reservation casino compact

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is awaiting legislative action on its compact for an off-reservation casino.

The compact authorizes the casino in Fruitport Township and requires the tribe to share revenues with the state. Lawmakers held three hearings on the compact, which has strong local support.

If approved by the state Legislature, the compact will be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review. The agency's top gaming official has warned it might reject the compact if it refers to land that is not yet held in trust.

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 failed to get approval from other tribes for an off-reservation casino.

Get the Story:
Proposed Fruitport casino could see legislative action (The Muskegon Chronicle 8/25)

Related Stories:
BIA official warns of rejection for off-reservation gaming pact (6/28)
Hearing for Little River Band off-reservation casino delayed (6/15)
Editorial: Don't delay Little River Band off-reservation casino (6/9)
Letter: Little River off-reservation casino good for economy (6/7)
Another hearing scheduled on Little River Band casino plan (5/31)
Little River Band defends off-reservation casino at hearing (5/27)
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)