Michigan tribe gets closer to casino approval
US regulators could soon authorise a western Michigan casino to be developed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Fruitport Township.
US.- The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians could soon get cleared to develop a casino in Fruitport Township, Michigan, as federal authorities may approve the project. The tribe would turn former race track Great Lake Downs into a new gaming venue but still needs the federal government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs consent.
The federal regulator will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, which is one of the last stages before the venue gets cleared to be developed. Governor Rick Snyder approved studies on the project in 2013 and, five years later, the tribe could finally start working on the lot.
The new casino would receive an investment of US$180 million that would be used to create a 69k square feet of gambling floor space with 1,700 slot machines, 35 table games and a 220-room hotel. According to tribe executive Larry Romanelli, the casino would open in 2020 and is expected to create 1,200 jobs in western Michigan.
