Second Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Casino May Not See the Light of Day

Michigan has seen the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians spend more than 14 years and $30 million attempting to bring a new casino property across a 60-acre site in Fruitport Township near the intersection of I-96 and US 31.

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ Casino on Shaky Ground

However, these plans may now be coming to a hilt, as Ogema Larry Romanelli has confirmed that the tribe’s pockets and store of patience are thinning.

The proposed $180-million casino resort in Muskegon County would have been the second property by the tribe in Michigan, but multiple setbacks have made it a near-impossibility, and impractical enough it seems for the tribe to consider cutting its losses.

The first casino property has already seemed to have hit its mark, allowing the tribe to take care of its members, offer employment, and fund a variety of community-based programs for the community.

Although the tribe has been able to secure approval from the US Department of the Interior, the project hit a roadblock with local authorities. Notably, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which regulates tribal gaming requires tribes to also secure local approval, specifically from the governor – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has not so far condoned the move.

Yet, Whitmer may not be biased against the tribe specifically but rather tries to balance a difficult situation. Whitmer’s office is said to be also aware of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, who are also looking to bring a casino project, that could potentially overlap with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ own.

In a statement in 2022, she said: “Despite the strength of its proposal, however, I am unable to concur in the Little River Band’s two-part determination because of the remaining uncertainty created by the Grand River Bands’ pending acknowledgement petition.”

Two Tribes, But Only One Is Federally Recognized

Matters get further complicated as the Grand River Bands is not a federally recognized tribe, but it is still a recognized tribe in Michigan, which makes the matter more of a turf battle. However, the federal government has tried to take a side in the case.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs said that it does not recognize the Grand River Bands on a federal level, making it harder for the tribe to argue its case.