Little Traverse Bay Bands revive plan for second gaming facility

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

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

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The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians announced plans to build a casino in Mackinaw City, Michigan.

The tribe hopes to break ground on a 5,000 square-foot casino in September. Future plans include an RV park and a 130-room hotel.

"We have always intended to develop the land, but the timing and the exact plan for the casino haven’t been right until now," Chair Regina Gasco-Bentley said in a press release.

The tribe's Class III gaming compact authorizes two casinos but local approval is required. Mackinaw City has not yet approved the facility, MLive reported.

The tribe already operates the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey. Mackinaw City is about 39 miles away.

The casino is expected to open in May 2016. The site is the former home of the Thunder Falls Family Water Park.

Get the Story:
Odawa Casino approves plan to expand to Mackinaw City (The Petoskey News-Review 6/24)
Tribe reviving plans for Mackinaw City casino (MLive 6/23)
Northern Michigan tribe to begin development of Mackinaw property (The Soo Evening News 6/23)
New Casino Planned For Mackinaw City (The Traverse City Ticker 6/23) Related Stories:
Little Traverse Bay Bands still waiting to hear about casino bid (08/07)
City moving slowly on Little Traverse Bay Bands casino project (07/12)
Little Traverse Bay Bands see positive reception to casino plan (04/24)
Little Traverse Bay Bands to outline plans for casino at meeting (04/23)
Little Traverse Bay Bands try another shot at second casino (03/29)