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Sault Tribe, Bay Mills may get new casinos

The possibility of two new Michigan casinos operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Bay Mills Indian Community will be debated by legislators in Washington next week.
GamblingDice

The possibility of two new Michigan casinos operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Bay Mills Indian Community will be debated by legislators in Washington next week.

On Thursday, the House’s Natural Resource Committee will consider bills to provide land for proposed casinos in Romulus near Detroit and Port Huron.

Efforts to establish gambling outlets in those communities gained strength in 2002 when then-Michigan governor John Engler signed land-claim agreements with the two Eastern Upper Peninsula tribes.

The deals still require approval by Congress.

One bill designed to move things forward is sponsored by Rep. John Dingell.

The Democrat wants Sault Tribe to be given land in Romulus, which is part of his district. In December 2003, Romulus voters passed a proposal that affirmed support for construction of a casino to be run by Sault Tribe.

Besides operating Keewadin Casinos in five northern Michigan locations, Sault Tribe is a part-owner of Detroit’s Greektown Casino.

Meanwhile, Menominee Democrat Bart Stupak is sponsoring another bill to authorize a Bay Mills casino in Port Huron.

The cosponsor, Republican Candice Miller, provided support because her district includes Port Huron.

Under the 2002 land-claim agreement, the Bay Mills tribe agreed to withdraw its claim to 100 acres on the St. Marys River in exchange for a new reservation on the Thomas Edison Inn site in Port Huron.

The property would become a casino operated by the tribe.

Renewed interest in the two new casinos has resulted in strong opposition from other operators in the southern part of state.


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