1972 The Charitable Gaming Act was passed, allowing charitable organizations to raise funds via bingo, raffles and some other specific forms of gambling. 1972 Voters approve a constitutional amendment to create a state lottery. 1984 Kings Club Casino in Brimley becomes the first tribal casino not just in Michigan, but in the whole of the United. The casino is owned by the Gun Lake Tribe and is operated by the tribe’s management partner, MPM Enterprises, LLC, owned by an affiliate of Station Casinos, Inc of Las Vegas, as well as private.

1. Gun Lake Casino New Years
2. Gun Lake Casino Open

Details

By CHEZ OXENDINE and JOE BOOMGAARD

Gaming

UPDATE: After this report was published, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians opted to close its five Kewadin Casinos for three weeks. The story has been updated.

Most tribal gaming operations in Michigan will remain open with some modifications even as the state imposes a new round of restrictions on commercial casinos and other sectors in a move aimed at curbing spiking cases of COVID-19.

On Sunday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Department of Health and Human Services announced that all three commercial casino operations in Detroit will close as of Wednesday, along with in-person dining at bars and restaurants, movie theaters, indoor ice rinks and bowling alleys.

As sovereign enterprises, the 24 tribally owned casinos that operate in Michigan do not have to comply with the mandated closures. While all tribal casinos in Michigan voluntarily closed in the spring at the same time the state issued a stay-at-home order, most are planning to stay open this time around, citing enhanced protocols and their track record for safety.

Among the exceptions: Bay Mills Resort & Casinos in Brimley, Mich., which plans to close for three weeks at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

“This pandemic is unpredictable,” Bay Mills Indian Community Chairman Bryan Newland said in a statement. “Fortunately, we budgeted CARES Act funds in anticipation another shutdown might occur. We believe in protecting our community and our employees.”

As of midday Wednesday, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians also opted to voluntarily close its five Kewadin Casinos in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with an expected reopening date of Dec. 9.

However, most other tribal gaming operations say they believe their precautions make it safe to remain open during the current spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

“We are confident that the recent significant increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases is not being influenced by FireKeepers’ operations because of the mitigation steps we have taken and which we continue to rigorously enforce,” Kathy George, CEO of Battle Creek, Mich.-based FireKeepers Casino Hotel, said in a statement provided to Tribal Business News.

FireKeepers, which is owned and operated by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, will remain open under its “strict protocols,” and will continue to “vigilantly review these protocols in cooperation with health officials and the Tribe’s Gaming Regulators to determine if additional controls or actions are needed to support the effort to slow down the spread of this virus,” George said.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s gaming facilities also will remain open, while the tribe plans to redouble “successful” safety measures already in place.

“We do not believe that closing the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel and The Slot Palace & Bingo Hall will reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. Should new information emerge that indicates otherwise, we will revisit this decision,” the tribe said in a statement.

The Pokagon Band of Potawtomi’s Four Winds Casinos in Southwest Michigan will also remain open under various safety guidelines.

“Like other governments we are continually monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and have taken extensive health and safety precautions to help protect our Tribal Citizens, our employees that work in our Tribal Government, as well as our Four Winds Casinos employees, and guests that visit our four casino locations in Michigan and Indiana,” according to a statement from the Pokagon Gaming Authority, which added that it “will continue to be diligent with the current safety and sanitation procedures as the health and safety of our employees and guests remains our top priority.”

The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians’ Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet and the Grand Traverse Bay Bands of Ottawa Indians’ two operations — Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel in Williamsburg and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge in Peshawbestown — did not indicate any plans to close on their respective websites.

The closures of the commercial casinos come amid growing concern from state officials and health systems across the state that the escalating caseload could soon overrun the capacity for hospitals. As of Nov. 15, the statewide positivity rate for COVID-19 reached an average of 12.5 percent, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a press conference, noting the virus was “spreading like wildfire.” Health experts say the test positivity rate should be around 3 percent to manage the spread of the virus, regional business publication MiBizreported. As of Tuesday, the state reported a total of 272,034 positive cases of COVID-19 and 8,128 deaths.

As cases continued to rise, some tribes opted to take certain actions to help to limit possible exposure.

For example, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe) has reduced hours of operation at Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Mich., located about 25 miles south of Grand Rapids, the state’s second-largest city where cases have been surging beyond levels experienced in the initial spring wave of the virus.

Instead of being open 24 hours a day, Gun Lake Casino will now close between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. As part of its “Play It Safe” initiative that takes effect on Nov. 20 and runs until Dec. 9, Gun Lake Casino also placed plexiglass barriers between slot machines or spaced them out to maintain distance between patrons and closed all bars and restaurants. Additionally, the casino closed its retail sportsbook counter and most table games, except for the High Limit Room, which will have limited occupancy.

“Gun Lake Casino is a critical business to the Gun Lake Tribe and to the local communities that we serve,” said Alexis Bolo, the operation’s community and public relations coordinator. “We are proud to provide financial stability and healthcare benefits for over 900 Team Members, which will continue during this time.”

At the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, near the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians reduced hours of operation to 8 a.m.-10 p.m., effective Nov. 17 until “at least” Dec. 8. Little River also closed all table games, turned off every other slot machine where distancing was not possible and closed its retail sportsbook, although on-site sports betting will be available.

Little River Casino, along with Gun Lake Casino, also widely banned smoking in most indoor areas.

Larry Romanelli, ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, said tribal officials carefully considered its options this week, all while the effects of the spring closure continue to weigh heavily on the tribe.

“As you know, business is tough and LRBOI wants to assist the Governor and also help keep citizens safe but we are also up against decreased revenues from closing before,” Romanelli said in an email to Tribal Business News.

According to previous estimates from MiBiz, Michigan tribes are believed to have lost more than $200 million during six to eight weeks of closures beginning in March 2020. Gaming revenue generally accounts for a significant portion of tribes’ operating budgets, which fund various services, ranging from health care and education to public safety and housing.

Elsewhere in Michigan, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community closed table games at its Ojibwa Casinos in Marquette and Baraga and the Hannahville Indian Community canceled all bands and entertainment through Dec. 10 and switched restaurants to take-out at its Island Resort & Casino in the Upper Peninsula town of Harris. Likewise, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians canceled entertainment and closed its sports bar at Petoskey-based Odawa Casino.

A common theme in all the tribal casinos’ plans is a commitment to following best practices and guidance aimed at keeping people safe. To some tribal leaders, the only safe option is shutting down.

In a statement to Tribal Business News, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairperson Aaron Payment said he supports “shutting down all non essential operations in collaboration with the Governor’s order to stave off the spread of this deadly virus during an exponential outbreak.”

“If we save just one life, especially an Elder, it will be worth it,” Payment said.

--
Tribal Business News Publisher Levi Rickert contributed to this report.
--
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with comment from the Pokagon Gaming Authority and to note that after this report was published, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa opted to close it five Kewadin Casinos.

Nation | Tribe: Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858

(888) 732-4537

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is one of two casinos owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The other is Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino in Standish, Michigan.

News Headlines

Michigan Indian casinos stay open as commercial casinos shut downNovember 19, 2020 - Michigan has issued a new COVID-19 mandate to temporarily close casinos. The three commercial casinos in Detroit will shut down for at least three weeks beginning... Read moreMichigan's Active and Coming-Soon SportsbooksSeptember 16, 2020 - Seven Michigan casinos have opened onsite sportsbooks in time for the kickoff of the 2020 NFL season. Eight more casinos are in final preparation before opening their doors to sports betting.... Read more Soaring Eagle and Saganing Eagles Landing casinos reopen June 1May 29, 2020 - The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will reopen the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel at 8AM June 1. This will be preceeded... Read moreSoaring Eagle begins major hotel renovationJanuary 8, 2020 - Soaring Eagle has begun demolition of its hotel rooms on the 6th and 7th floor. All rooms will be replaced with new construction and reopened by August 2020. Reconstuction will continue to mid-2022... Read moreSoaring Eagle Casino's $26.5 million renovationAugust 30, 2018 - Soaring Eagle has opened a new VIP lounge, a night club, and a new gaming area for high limit betting. ASCEND is an entertainment venue which wil offer live music and comedy shows.... Read more Headlines continued...

Click For Practice Play
FREE SLOTS • No Signup • Instant Play
Exclusive Free Play! Select any of these three slot games for exclusive access inside BOVADA CASINO. No player signup is required. No deposit.

Click For Practice Play
No Signup • Instant Play
Direct access to play casino games free inside BOVADA.

BOVADA

Click For Practice Play
No Signup • Instant Play
Direct access to play casino games free inside BOVADA.

BOVADA

Gaming

Open 24 hours daily
4,200 slot machines
60 table games
Craps - 64 seats
Blackjack - 70 seats
Keno
Poker Room - open 24 hours, smoke-free
High Stakes Area - 125 slots and 7 table games.
Bingo - for schedules and info call 1-888-7-EAGLE-7 ext.55154

Restaurant

Hotel

Soaring Eagle hotel began a 2-1/2 year major renovation project in January 2020. See details.

Hotel information and reservations: 877.2.EAGLE.2 or 877.232.4532

Room Types
First Class Rooms, Deluxe Jacuzzi Rooms, Deluxe Fireplace Rooms and Premium Suites

Soaring Eagle Spa & Salon
Full-service spa
Call 989.775.5403 for appointments

Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel

5665 E. Pickard Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
877-232-4532

Soaring Eagle Waterpark is a 33,000 sq-ft indoor waterpark.

Day Passes
Phone 989.817.4801 to check current availability and pricing

Dining Options - breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks
Nbakade Dining Room
Wiisinidaa Food Court
Gizi's Snack Shop

Website: www.soaringeaglewaterpark.com

Waabooz Run Golf Course

18-hole executive course
Located inside of the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel
Website: www.waaboozrun.com

The Retreat at Soaring Eagle
Green Suites is being remodled and rebranded as The Retreat at Soaring Eagle.

Website

Soaring Eagle's Massive Expansion April 2018

Soaring Eagle Commercial

News Articles

Soaring Eagle and Saganing Eagles Landing casinos reopen June 1

May 29, 2020

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will reopen the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel at 8AM June 1.

Video courtesy of MLive

Back Full Page >Soaring Eagle Casino

Soaring Eagle begins major hotel renovation

January 8, 2020

A major renovation of all 516 hotel rooms at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort began this week.

As a first phase, the rooms on the sixth and seventh floors are being demolished and replaced with new construction. All plumbing, heating and air conditioning will be new. These rooms will reopen in August 2020.

During the same timeframe the front desk and administrative areas will be demolished and replaced by new construction.

When floors six and seven are finished, the renovation will continue for another two years to include the guest rooms on the remaining floors. Final completion is scheduled for mid-2022.

A multi-million dollar renovation to the casino was completed in September 2018. That project added a non-smoking slots area, a high stakes and VIP lounge, the ASCEND restaurant, and a re-designed Kid's Quest & Cyber Quest.

Back Full Page >Soaring Eagle Casino

Soaring Eagle Casino's $26.5 million renovation

August 30, 2018

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has been undergoing a renovation project. It is estimated to be completed this Fall. When finished there will be a new VIP lounge, a night club, and a new gaming area for high limit betting.

On August 31, VIP's will be invited to the opening of ASCEND. It is the new sports bar and night club. On September 02, the entertainment venue is expected to open officially.

ASCEND will have live music and comedy shows. On the weekends there will be nationally known performers. During football games there will be Watch and Win events hosted there.

The menu will offer wings and brisket nachos. Sandwiches, hamburgers, and salads.

A new poker room, VIP lounge, high limit gaming area, a play area for children and arcade, improvements to the entertainment hall are other projects the casino is undergoing.

The new poker room was the first to be completed and opened to the public. The room offers new game tables and seating. As well as cell phone USB ports. During certain promotions and tournaments players can receive free appetizers.

The project will cost $26.5 million to complete. This is the largest renovation project that the casino has had.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort was opened in 1997. In 2011 the casino underwent a major renovation. At that time the building was expanded to provide space for Legends Diner. There was also a rebranding of the previous Firefly Buffet into the Aurora Buffet.

The casino is the largest employer in Isabella County. There are over 2,500 people that work there.

Back Full Page >Soaring Eagle Casino

Soaring Eagle opens new high limit gaming and VIP lounge

April 06, 2018

The first phase of the renovation project at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is finishing ahead of schedule. On Friday at 3 p.m. the new VIP lounge offering high limit gaming will celebrate a grand opening.

On January 15 of this year construction started on the first phase of the renovation project. The original competition date was scheduled for April 22. However, the quick progression on the project has moved the opening date now to April 06. This makes the project completed 2 weeks before the original competition date.

The new space will cater towards the casino resort's VIPs and high rollers.

A welcome speech will be given by Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Chief Ronnie Ekdahl and Soaring Eagle's CEO Ray Brenny.

The original poker room is the location of the new VIP lounge and high limits gaming. The Slot Palace is the temporary poker room location. It will remain here until the second renovation phase is completed. That is expected to be sometime by the middle of June 2018.

In addition to the new poker room location, other renovation plans are being made. This includes the addition of a new sports bar and night club. The smoke free gaming area will be enclosed. The entertainment hall will undergo some updating. The sub shop will be rebranded. Updates will be made to Cyber Quest and Kid's Quest.

It is expected that all the renovations will be finished by September of this year. The cost is $26.5 million.

This is the largest renovation and construction that the casino resort has undergone outside of the 1997 grand opening.

Back Full Page >Soaring Eagle Casino

The Retreat at Soaring Eagle will replace The Green Suites

March 23, 2018

A renovation project and new branding is underway for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's Mount Pleasant hotel. The project cost is expected to be in the millions to complete.

The Green Suites will be renamed The Retreat at Soaring Eagle. The remodeling project includes changes to both the interior and exterior of the building.

The aging property is located next to the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and near the Waabooz Run Golf Course.

Design plans will make the building feel more comfortable and welcoming. It will also be upscale and offer suites with one, two, and three bedrooms. Guests will be able to rent the rooms for the night or for longer stays. There will be bold colors and minimalist interiors.

Art will be provided from photographers and artists from the tribe.

A living room, kitchen, and bathroom will be available in every guest suite. Guests will also be able to use the shuttle service for free that will take guests to other Soaring Eagle properties.

Visitors to the casino, concerts, and golfers will be attracted to the new hotel. They are also hopeful to attract long term accommodations for visiting doctors, professionals, and professors for Central Michigan University.

The total time to complete the project is between six and eight months. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer. The hotel will be open during the renovation. The project will take several phases to complete with one phase opening at a time.

Currently there is a $26.5 million renovation project underway at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.

Back Full Page >Soaring Eagle Casino

News Headlines Continued

Soaring Eagle opens new high limit gaming and VIP lounge
April 6, 2018 - The new VIP lounge offering high limit gaming opened April 6.It marks completion of the first renovation phase at the Soaring Eagle Casino.... Read moreThe Retreat at Soaring Eagle will replace The Green Suites
March 23, 2018 - The Soaring Eagle's property The Green Suites is being remodled and rebranded as The Retreat at Soaring Eagle.... Read more07.19.2017 Soaring Eagle plans $26.5 million renovation08.29.2016 New Fall Entertainment Line Up For Soaring Eagle Casino

VOTED #1
Most Popular Online Casino USA

Most players - Most visits

CASINO • LIVE DEALER • POKER • SPORTSBOOK • RACEBOOK

$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus- 100% Match Bonus redeemable 3 times up to $3,000 total. 300+ Games, Leaderboards, Live Dealers, MobileLive Dealer Games
Play Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette or Super 6 with a live dealer. Get either the casino or the bitcoin welcome bonus.$500 Poker Welcome Bonus - '#1 Online Poker Room in U.S.' Get 100% Match Bonus up to $500. Deep player pools. deep prize pools, hundreds of weekly tournaments, mobile.$250 Sports Welcome Bonus- 50% Match Bonus up to $250 on first deposit. Live betting, live odds, bitcoin promo, mobile betting.Bitcoin Welcome Bonus- Get more bonus with bitcoins. 150% Bitcoin Casino Match Bonus up to $1,500 redeemable three times plus 50% Bitcoin Match bonus up to $500 on sports.

Gun Lake Casino New Years

Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by 500 Nations for informational purposes only.

Gun Lake Casino Open

500 Nations is an independent directory and information service free of any gaming operator's control and not affiliated with any casino.
Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a casino or placing a wager. There are hundreds of jurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet. Do not assume that Internet gaming sites are in compliance with the rules and regulations of every jurisdiction from which they accept players. YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to play any particular game or place any particular wager under the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located.