The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) is getting ready to open a short lived on line casino in Benzie County, Michigan, marking a major improvement for the tribe because it explores future alternatives within the area. The brand new gaming facility, named Crystal Shores On line casino, will reportedly debut on January 22, 2024, following a members-only tender opening on January 18-19. This would be the tribe’s third on line casino in Michigan, with its two different properties being Turtle Creek On line casino & Lodge and Leelanau Sands On line casino & Lodge.
Crystal Shores On line casino will occupy area inside a authorities constructing the tribe owns at 7282 Hoadley Street in Benzonia Township, positioned roughly 35 miles southwest of Traverse Metropolis. The ability will function a gaming ground of 3,213 sq. ft, providing slot machines however no desk video games. Though the gaming ground itself is small, it is going to accommodate roughly 250 individuals. Along with the on line casino operations, the constructing will proceed to function an area for tribal authorities places of work, making this a hybrid use of the property.
Non permanent facility with plans for a bigger improvement:
The opening of this momentary on line casino is an element of a bigger technique by GTB to evaluate the demand for a extra expansive gaming facility on the website. In response to Johnny Barrientoz, the CEO of Grand Traverse Resort and Casinos, the tribe plans to function the present setup for a few yr. It will enable them to assemble enough information and gauge public curiosity earlier than making a choice on increasing the on line casino into a bigger, extra everlasting facility. Barrientoz emphasised that when they’ve a clearer image of demand, they might doubtless transition the federal government operations again into the constructing and develop a brand new, devoted on line casino elsewhere on the property.
“This can be a start line,” Barrientoz defined. “We’ll most likely give it a great yr so we will get correct information and determine the right way to proceed with the long-term plans.”
The institution of the brand new on line casino is anticipated to supply a increase to the native financial system, notably by way of employment. The tribe has employed round 40 individuals to workers the on line casino, out of practically 100 candidates. Whereas the common wage for workers is anticipated to be round $27,000 yearly, ideas are anticipated to considerably enhance earnings. Barrientoz highlighted the constructive impression on the group, noting that many locals expressed their gratitude for the job alternatives, that are uncommon within the comparatively rural space of Benzie County.
“It actually didn’t hit house till we began doing job festivals down there just lately,” Barrientoz stated, as reported by Crain’s Detroit Enterprise. “Folks had been actually expressing their gratitude due to the restricted work alternatives on this space. It’s going to alter their lives and provides them alternatives they didn’t have earlier than.”
Authorized and regulatory context:
The Grand Traverse Band has a longstanding presence in Michigan’s gaming trade, with its first on line casino, Leelanau Sands, opening in 1991. In 1993, the tribe signed a gaming compact with the state of Michigan, which allowed it to function casinos on its belief lands. The authorized framework for the brand new Crystal Shores On line casino falls underneath this identical compact. Regardless of authorized challenges up to now, resembling when the state questioned the legality of Turtle Creek On line casino, a courtroom ruling affirmed the tribe’s rights to function its amenities on belief land.
In response to John Petoskey, the tribe’s lawyer, there have been no objections throughout the necessary 120-day evaluation interval for Crystal Shores On line casino by federal regulators, and the Grand Traverse Band Gaming Fee issued a gaming license for the power in November 2023. Petoskey additionally expressed confidence that the Benzie County location qualifies underneath the identical authorized grounds because the tribe’s earlier on line casino initiatives.
For GTB, the momentary on line casino is only one a part of a broader effort to develop and strengthen its financial footprint in Michigan. The tribe’s present properties, Turtle Creek and Leelanau Sands, are established gaming venues, and Crystal Shores On line casino will assist diversify its choices within the area. Moreover, the on line casino’s improvement might additional place the tribe as a major participant in Michigan’s gaming trade, which is house to 23 tribal casinos.
Whereas Crystal Shores is a comparatively modest facility, it represents a major step within the tribe’s efforts to evaluate the viability of a larger-scale on line casino in Benzie County. Because the area’s gaming panorama evolves, GTB’s capacity to open new amenities with out encountering the prolonged authorized battles that different tribes have confronted speaks to the tribe’s preparedness and stable authorized footing.
Though Crystal Shores remains to be in its preliminary phases, it has already attracted consideration for its potential to contribute to native financial improvement. In response to Crain’s Grand Rapids Enterprise, the Little River Band and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians have confronted authorized hurdles of their efforts to ascertain new casinos in Michigan, highlighting the complexities that many tribes should navigate to develop their gaming operations. Nevertheless, GTB has had a comparatively smoother path because of its present belief land and established authorized precedents.
