Gun Lake Casino’s 2017 Expansion Continues Increase in Revenue Sharing

(Bradley, Mich.) – Today, the Gun Lake Tribe (Tribe) announced details of its fall revenue sharing payments. The State of Michigan received $5,221,249, and the local revenue sharing board received $2,261,699. GLIMI, an economic development entity, received $1,566,375. The figures are calculated from electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018.

“This revenue sharing distribution validates development decisions made by Tribal Council and casino management to study market demand and place value on guest experience,” said Bob Peters, Chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe. “Our economic impact study confirms that our success supports thousands of great jobs while providing substantial benefits to Michigan’s economy.”

Last week, the Tribe released the findings of an economic impact study, developed by the Innovation Group, showing the tribal government, Casino and Gun Lake Investments added $1.5 billion to Michigan’s economy from 2011-2017. The Tribe’s annual economic impact contributes $228 million to the state’s economy while supporting 2,600 jobs.

The Tribe’s state revenue sharing payments are dependent on the continued preservation of exclusive gaming rights within its competitive market area, as defined by the tribal-state gaming compact, which also includes statewide expansion of certain lottery games. The market area includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, as well as the entire counties of Kent, Kalamazoo and Ingham, among others.

The Tribe has now shared more than $80 million with the State of Michigan, which directs the payments to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC in turn awards grants to businesses to invest in Michigan and create jobs.

The Local Revenue Sharing 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.

Gun Lake Casino opened in February 2011 and now employs over 1,000 team members. The Gun Lake Tribe has now shared $118,368,404 with state and local governments over sixteen (16) distributions.

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About Gun Lake Tribe
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and a close connection to the land. The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural center point of the tribal community. The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United States government dating back to 1795. The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999. For more information about the Tribe visit https://gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/.

About Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The casino features over 2,000 slot machines, 47 table games, a high-limit room, a 225-seat café, and a 300-seat buffet, along with bars, lounges, and live entertainment.

Gun Lake Casino is owned and operated by the Gun Lake Tribe. For more information, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.