Detroit, Wayne County oppose off-reservation casino in Muskegon County and elsewhere
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MUSKEGON, MI – The proposed Muskegon County casino project is facing pushback from elected officials in the greater Detroit region.
Detroit City Council and the Wayne County Board of Commissioners passed resolutions last week opposing “any off-reservation gaming effort” in Michigan, mentioning the Fruitport Township casino and a proposed casino in Wayne County by the Sault Tribe.
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has been working for over a decade to garner the necessary approvals to build a $180 million casino-center development at a former racetrack near The Lakes Mall, about 90 miles away from its tribal land in Manistee County.
The tribe says it is pursuing the “off-reservation” casino because many of its members live in the Muskegon County region.
Larry Romanelli, the Little River Band tribe leader, says it feels “a little odd” to have opposition coming from across the state.
“It feels like an imposition into us doing business,” he said. “I would not think about going to Detroit and mandate how they do their business.”
Detroit City Council said in its resolution off-reservation gaming could “pose a threat” to revenue generated from its three local casinos, MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown Casino and MotorCity Casino Hotel.
Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell said in a news release the board is concerned about a “possible influx of casino gaming operations.”
Three tribes that operate within a two-hour drive of Muskegon County support the stance from Detroit-area officials.
James Nye, a spokesperson for The Gun Lake Tribe, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, said the resolutions show “bipartisan opposition” to off-reservation gaming.
Similar Michigan House and Senate resolutions were introduced earlier this year.
To acquire off-reservation land for gaming, the Little River Band pursued a two-part determination — a lengthy process that requires concurrence from the U.S. Department of Interior and Michigan’s governor.
The proposed casino took a major step forward when the federal government granted its approval at the end of 2020 for the tribe to acquire off-reservation land.
The casino project has received broad support from the community, including the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, Fruitport Township and the city of Norton Shores.
The 69,000-square-foot casino and 220-room hotel is expected to bring $15 million in tax revenue and 3,000 jobs — half to operate the facility and half in construction — to Muskegon County, according to the Little River Band.
Nye believes the dissenting resolutions from the “largest city in the state of Michigan” could have an impact on Whitmer’s decision making.
The Little River Band met with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in February to introduce her to the project. Romanelli said he has “faith and trust” in the governor as she evaluates the proposal.
“This does have bipartisan support, strong bipartisan support,” Romanelli said. “So, I just think the stars have aligned properly.”
The governor’s office is still reviewing the application, according to press secretary Bobby Leddy.
If Whitmer concurs and grants the two-part determination, the Little River Band plans to start construction within 60 days.
The tribe also hopes to amend its state gaming compact through the state Legislature to allow for a second Class III casino with 1,700 slot machines and 35 games tables.
