The Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act likely ends local legal challenges to the tribal casino in Wayland Township in western lower Michigan.
Former Wayland Township Trustee David Patchack in 2008 first challenged whether the federal government has the authority to place local land in federal trust on behalf of local tribes. Doing so enables the tribes to circumvent state and local law, and build Class III gaming casinos with electronic games of chance and table games.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan introduced the act to end the longtime legal squabble and affirm the federal government’s authority to place land in federal trust on behalf of tribes. President Barack Obama signed it into law, after Congress approved it with no major changes.
“This is a historic day for the tribe and Indian Country,” Gun Lake Tribe Chairman D.K. Sprague said in a statement. “This new law not only reaffirms the trust status of our land, but also permanently ends the frivolous legal challenges that our tribe and the local community have faced for more than 10 years.”
Signing the law does not disqualify the case, but it does make it much likelier the case will be dismissed as moot, now that the new act clarifies the federal government’s authority in the matter.
In a possibly related development, the tribe, recently announced plans for its $76 million expansion Wayland, Michigan casino. The expansion will add 73,000 square feet of space to the existing 83,000 square foot facility when it’s completed in summer 2017. Preliminary site work was completed over the winter and demolition work, footings and foundations are in progress.
The expansion will create 100 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to more than 900. The construction phase will is providing 300-400 positions.
Acting Chairman of the Tribe and Casino Board Ed Pigeon said, “This $76 million expansion will produce economic growth and more career opportunities for our tribal citizens and our friends and neighbors here in West Michigan. We are proud to make a significant investment in our property for the enjoyment of guests, which in turn will bring increased benefits to the local community.” Added Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority Chief Executive Officer John Shagonaby, “This is a major step forward in the development of Gun Lake Casino as a top-tier gaming entertainment venue. The addition of more gaming space, premiere buffet dining and headline entertainers puts our property on par with any in the Midwest.”
The expansion will bring the total number of electronic gaming machines to 2,050 and table games to 42. A new high limit gaming room also will be added.
In addition, a 300-seat, multi-station buffet will offer upscale dining choices including American, Italian, Mexican, and Asian cuisines. Also, the Stage 131 entertainment lounge will be moved and expanded to twice its current size. And Gun Lake Casino team members will benefit from a new dining room and lounge with a break room, café and personal lockers.
Meanwhile, oral arguments are scheduled for May 13 in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding David Patchak’s contention that he should be compensated for troubles caused by the casino. Patchak, who lives three miles from Gun Lake Casino, first challenged the casino when it was built in 2009, disputing the constitutionality of the Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act. Last June a judge upheld the casino site is on Indian land. However, because of other legal issues, in Salazar v. Patchak, the Supreme Court ruled Patchak’s case could proceed even though the land already was in federal trust and the tribe already had opened its casino.
