The casino will be located on sovereign land owned by the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Tribal officials have previously expressed interest in operating a fully-fledged gaming venue with Las Vegas-style casino games but the Mackinaw City Village Council voted against the proposal, arguing that a facility of this kind would not be the right fit for the village.
Tribal officials have pointed out that if they had been allowed to open a Class III casino, they would have contributed 2% of the facility’s revenue to Mackinaw City and 6% to the state of Michigan. Now, as the tribe is preparing to open a Class II casino instead, it will not have to share a portion of its gambling income with the host community. In addition, the construction of the venue does not need to be approved by the village council.
Generally speaking, Class II gambling facilities feature bingo games and pull tabs. Even though the Mackinaw City casino would not offer traditional Las Vegas-style games, including baccarat and roulette, it is still expected to turn into an important tourist attraction and source of stable revenue for the tribe.
Under its five-year plan for the development of the new casino, it is to be built at the site of the Thunderfalls Water Park. The project will be rolled out in phases. At first, it will offer 64 gaming machines, with more of those to be added in the years to come. An RV park will likely be developed next year. However, tribal officials have previously said that the plan can only be carried out, if the venue proves to be a popular casino destination.
Despite the hurdles tribal officials faced regarding the type of venue they would operate, its construction is expected to be completed in May and that it will likely be launched sometime in the first half of 2016. Mackinaw City Village Council members said that the tribe may eventually be allowed to ask for another permission to run a full-scale casino.
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