- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
BRADLEY, Mich. — Since opening its Gun Lake Casino almost 10 years ago, the Gun Lake Tribe has shared more than $150 million with the state of Michigan and local governments.
Despite a lawsuit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Gun Lake Casino has operated successfully since opening in February 2011, with exception of being closed for nearly three months earlier this year when it voluntarily closed its doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gun Lake tribal officials announced its fall revenue sharing payments earlier this week. The state of Michigan received $3,293,020 and the local revenue sharing board received $1,475,308. GLIMI, an economic development entity, received $987,906. The figures are calculated from electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020. The fall revenue sharing distribution total of $5,756,234 is the lowest ever for Gun Lake Casino in a six-month period due to the pandemic closure.
The Gun Lake Tribe has now shared $150,047,785 with state and local governments over twenty (20) distributions. Of that total, the tribe has shared more than $98 million with the state, which directs the payments to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which, in turn, awards grants to businesses to invest in Michigan and create jobs.
“The Tribe’s commitment to make a positive impact on our local community has never been stronger as we all persevere through the pandemic,” Gun Lake Tribe Chairman Bob Peters said. “This distribution would not be possible without the dedication of our executives and team members at the casino. We thank them immensely and congratulate them for helping us surpass $150 million in revenue sharing.”
To distribute funds to local government bodies, the tribe established a local revenue sharing board. The board receives and administers the semi-annual payments. The gaming compact prescribes mandatory funding to local municipalities for: costs incurred due to the operation of the casino; public safety services; and replacement of tax revenue. The board established by-laws to govern the distribution process. The local payments are made under terms of the gaming compact independent of gaming exclusivity. Local payments now total more than $35 million.
The Gun Lake Casino recently announced reduced hours of operation, closure of food and beverage outlets including no sale of adult beverages, no smoking and increased sanitation measures to assist in the effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. The Casino’s Play it Safe Initiative has successfully created a safe environment for team members and guests.
Gun Lake now employs more than 1,100 team members.
More Stories Like This
American Basketball Association Announces Native ABA InitiativeFour Winds South Bend Upgrades to Class III Gaming Casino
Native News Online Wins Two Awards from Native American Journalists Association
Wahlberg Brothers Are a Big Hit at Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in Las Vegas
Native Gro Offers Tribes a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Entering the Cannabis Industry
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
