While Las Vegas development plans are shelved or temporarily halted, and Atlantic City casinos face more uncertain times owing to US economic gloom and doom, the Michigan Senate last Wednesday approved the compact resolution signed in 2007 by the governor for the Gun Lake Tribe to construct their own casino at the Wayland exit along US-131 in Allegan County.

Tribal spokesman James Nye said: "Now the work begins, but the work that we've wanted to begin for many years. Right now the tribe pays Wayland Township US $30,000 a year in property taxes. Under the 2% revenue sharing, the number is projected to go up at least US $3 million during the first full year of operation."

The state will get 8% of the profits from slot machines for the first US $150 million, 10% for the next US$150million, and 12% for everything after that. The Gun Lake tribe will be permitted, with the compact, to run regular slots and a full array of Las Vegas style table games.

However, the Burt Lake Tribe still has some work to do on the political side, as the tribe is recognized by the state, but not yet formally recognized by the federal government. The federal recognition may be necessary before the tribe considers applying to have their site designated as sovereign territory. A groundbreaking date has not been set, pending federal government recognition. (E-02.13.09)

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