Eklutna Tribe Prepares Land for Casino in Birchwood near Anchorage

A Native American Tribe planning to build a gambling hall near Anchorage in Alaska started clearing the land that would be used for the project if it receives a green light.

An Approval of the Project May Finally Allow It to Lift Off

This is the case of the Native Village of Eklutna, also referred to as the Eklutna Tribe, who have been trying to open a tribal gaming facility for more than a decade. Back in 2018, the Tribe faced rejection over its intention to use Native allotment to build a casino. The decision came from the US Interior Department and the Tribe failed in its efforts to overturn that ruling.

However, back in July, Interior Solicitor Robert Anderson filed an opinion regarding the status of Native allotments across Alaska. This opinion recognized that tribal jurisdictions could govern such allotments except for cases when the land itself is not owned by a Tribal member.

Ultimately, the Interior Solicitor’s decision helped persuade the National Indian Gaming Commission to approve the Eklutna Tribe’s project. Still, in order to begin construction, the Tribe needs to receive a green light from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

While the Eklutna Tribe is awaiting for that approval, it has already started clearing parts of the land that would be used for the project, Anchorage Daily News reports. Reportedly, the Tribe cleared a small section of the land from trees and also laid down gravel, as explained by Aaron Leggett, the president of the Eklutna Tribe.

Construction Expected to Start Next Year

The Tribe plans to use 8 acres of land for the project. The allotment is located in Birchwood which is approximately 20 miles away from Anchorage. The gaming hall itself, once built, is expected to offer electronic gaming machines with games such as bingo. Still, the venue would operate as a Class II gaming location, which means that it won’t offer slots, table or card games such as the ones available in Las Vegas casinos.

The Eklutna Tribe already has signed an agreement for the development, design and management of the new gaming hall which will be in the hands of Marnell Companies’ subsidiary, Marnell Gaming. Marnell Companies’ boss, Anthony Marnell III, who recently secured approval for an Ely casino takeover, revealed that the company is expecting approval from the federal government that will help kickstart the project.

The executive explained: “We have every intention, if approved, to work with the city and communicate with the city.” Moreover, Marnell said that he hopes to see the start of construction of the new gaming hall at some point next year. Besides a gaming space, the new venue would offer a restaurant as well as plenty of parking spaces.

According to Leggett, the gaming hall represents a unique economic opportunity for the tribe. Still, he did not disclose what is the casino’s price tag.