Indianz.Com > News > Gun Lake Tribe surpasses $150 million in gaming contributions to Michigan
Construction continues on an expansion of the Gun Lake Casino, owned and operated by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi in Wayland, Michigan. Time-lapse video [Past 30 days]: Gun Lake Casino Construction
Gun Lake Tribe Shares $5.7 Million with State and Local Governments
Tribe Surpasses $150 Million in 10 Years of State and Local Revenue Sharing
Monday, December 7, 2020
Source: Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe)
gunlaketribe-nsn.gov

BRADLEY, Michigan – Today, the Gun Lake Tribe (Tribe) announced details of its fall revenue sharing payments.

The State of Michigan received $3,293,020 and the local revenue sharing board received $1,475,308. GLIMI, an economic development entity, received $987,906. The figures are calculated from electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The fall revenue sharing distribution total of $5,756,234 is the lowest ever for Gun Lake Casino in a six-month period. The Casino shutdown for nearly three months at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Tribe’s commitment to make a positive impact on our local community has never been stronger as we all persevere through the pandemic,” said Bob Peters, Chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe. “This distribution would not be possible without the dedication of our executives and team members at the casino. We thank them immensely and congratulate them for helping us surpass $150 million in revenue sharing.”

The Gun Lake Casino recently announced reduced hours of operation, closure of food and beverage outlets including no sale of adult beverages, no smoking and increased sanitation measures to assist in the effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. The Casino’s Play it Safe Initiative has successfully created a safe environment for team members and guests.

The Tribe has now shared more than $98 million with the State of Michigan, which directs the payments to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC in turn awards grants to businesses to invest in Michigan and create jobs.

The Tribe’s state revenue sharing payments are dependent on the continued preservation of exclusive gaming rights within its competitive market area, as defined by the tribal-state gaming compact, which also includes statewide expansion of certain lottery games. The market area includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, as well as the entire counties of Kent, Kalamazoo and Ingham, among others.

The Local Revenue Sharing Board receives and administers the semi-annual payments. The gaming compact prescribes mandatory funding to local municipalities for: costs incurred due to the operation of the casino; public safety services; and replacement of tax revenue. The Board established by-laws to govern the distribution process. The local payments are made under terms of the gaming compact independent of gaming exclusivity. Local payments now total more than $35 million.

Gun Lake Casino opened in February 2011 and now employs over 1,100 team members. The Gun Lake Tribe has now shared $150,047,785 with state and local governments over twenty (20) distributions.

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and a close connection to the land. The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural center point of the tribal community. The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United States government dating back to 1795. The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999. For more information about the Tribe visit gunlaketribe-nsn.gov.

Gun Lake Casino is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The casino features over 2,000 slot machines, 47 table games, a high-limit room, a 225-seat café, and a 300-seat buffet, along with bars, lounges, and live entertainment.

Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Gun Lake Tribe. For more information, visit gunlakecasino.com.
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