Gun Lake Tribe Has Given Over $27 Million to State & Local Governments Since Opening

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

BRADLEY, MICHIGAN – On Tuesday the Gun Lake Tribe announced details of its fourth revenue sharing payments to the state and local governments. The State of Michigan received $7,002,443 while the local revenue sharing board received $1,679,512. The revenue sharing payments are distributed semi-annually under terms of the tribal-state gaming compact. The figures are calculated on electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1 to September 30.

Electronic Gaming Revenues

Gun Lake Casino opened in February 2011 and now employs more than 800 team members. The Gun Lake Tribe has now shared a total of $27,136,145 with state and local governments.

“That does not include donations made by our charitable giving program,”

said D.K. Sprague, chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe.

“This is another example of the Tribe living up to its word; promises made, promises kept.”

Under the compact agreement with the State of Michigan the Tribe agreed to share a percentage of electronic gaming revenues with the state and local governments. The local revenue share is based on 2 percent of net win from electronic gaming devices, while the state payment is calculated on a sliding scale between 8 and 12 percent. A portion of the current state payment was calculated at 10 percent of net win.

The state revenue sharing payments are dependent on the continued preservation of exclusive gaming rights within the Tribe's competitive market area, as defined by the gaming compact, which includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, as well as the entire counties of Kent, Kalamazoo and Ingham, among others.

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. In accordance with the by-laws, other possible uses for local revenue sharing money include funding for schools and civic organizations.

posted November 28, 2012 7:30 am est