Michigan is no stranger to casinos run by Native American tribes. However, Mackinaw City is. On Sunday, January 10, 2016, the casino was discussed by a local. It is a casino that the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians is seeking to build in Mackinaw City that will be completed by May. Local media interviewed Zach Coonrod, who manages Americas Best Value Inn.
The Inn is across 112 Old US 31, which is also where the casino is currently under construction.
According to Coonrod, “In the evenings here, there are still not a whole lot of things to do except go to bars.”
He views the casino as a place for guests to find entertainment for the evening.
There is some disappointment regarding the casino construction. The casino will offer 64 slot machines, but will not have craps, blackjack, or roulette tables. Mackinaw City Village Council did not receive permission for a Class III license in October. It is not necessary to receive village approval for a Class II facility. However, it limits the games to pull tabs, bingo, non-banked cards such as poker, and slots.
A Class III casino would provide 2 percent slot revenue to local governments and 6 percent state tax. The decision to limit the facility negates these requirements.
The casino is located south of Mackinaw City, about a mile. It is a jumping off point for tourists. Last week construction began on the facility, which is slated to be 5,000 square feet. It is being built on the former Thunder Falls Water Park location at 1028 Nicolet St. It is next to tribal land trust. The park closed in 2012 and the tribe has been trying to obtain permission for a casino on the site since then. The new casino is also just a beginning. The Tribe is also trying to improve their Petoskey site.