The Gun Lake Tribe announced with its fall payment, the tribe has shared $101,636,676 in revenue since its Gun Lake Casino opened nearly seven years ago in Wayland, Michigan. Its fall payment of more than $8.2 million is a 24 percent increase over the spring payment, and the 14th revenue sharing disbursement that exceeds $8.2 million. Of that total, $4.7 will go to the state of Michigan and $2.1 million will go to the local revenue sharing board which awards grants to local governments and nonprofits. GLMI, the tribe’s economic development arm, will receive $1.4 million.
Under terms of a tribal-state gaming compact, revenue-sharing payments are distributed semiannually. The figures are calculated from electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1 through September 30.
Tribal Chairman Scott Sprague said, “The tribe’s reinvestment of $76 million into the casino expansion has paid off for tribal citizens, our team members and the community.” The expansion, which opened last spring, doubled the gaming floor and added 500 new slot machines, and also added the Harvest Buffet and entertainment venues. The venue employs more than 1,000 people.
