Gun Lake Tribe's Total State & Local Revenue Sharing Payments Exceeds $18 Million

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

WAYLAND, MICHIGAN – The Gun Lake Tribe announced its third revenue sharing payments to the state and local governments. The State of Michigan received $6,477,398 while the local revenue sharing board received $1,599,231.

Gun Lake Tribe Revenue Sharing Presentation

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 October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

“We continue to enjoy strong operating results thanks to the dedication of our team members and the leadership of our management team,”

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

“We are thankful for the benefits our gaming enterprise has brought to the Tribe and our neighbors in West Michigan.”

Monday's announcement was the third announcement of the state and local revenue sharing payments from proceeds from the Tribe's Gun Lake Casino. Since opening its casino in mid-February 2011, the Gun Lake Tribe has given a total of $18,453,189 to the State of Michigan or local governments.

State Rep. Bob Genetski accepted a ceremonial check on behalf of the State of Michigan. The State 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 Tribe has made tremendous contributions to the history and culture of Allegan County,”

said Genetski.

“It's very rewarding to see it develop economically into one of the region's top job providers. I thank the Tribe for delivering on the promises it made to our community.”

The Tribe and the State of Michigan entered into a government to government contract, known as a tribal-state gaming compact. Under the compact, the Tribe agreed to share a percentage of electronic gaming revenues with the state and local governments. The local revenue share equals two percent of net win from electronic gaming devices, while the state payment is calculated on a sliding scale between eight and twelve percent, depending on revenue. Monday's state distribution equaled eight percent of net win from electronic gaming revenue.

The 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 has established bylaws that govern the local distribution process. Other possible uses for local revenue sharing money include funding for schools and civic organizations. The local revenue shared by the Tribe is not dependent on exclusive gaming rights prescribed under the compact.

The local funds are allocated by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Wayland Township Area Local Revenue Sharing Board that consists of three tribal council members and local officials near the Gun Lake Casino.

The Wayland Union Schools is a recipient of the some of the local funds. With the proceeds, the school system has been able to eliminate the pay to play for sports, made major repairs to roofs on school buildings and made improvements to its pool.

Monday's announcement took place at the Baker Elementary School, an elementary school run by the Wayland Union Schools.

“ Many good things are happening in our district. Morale of the district is great,”

stated Norm Taylor, superintendent of Wayland Union Schools.

Taylor cited the recent signing of an agreement with the Van Andel Education Institute with the district's high school to provide inquiry-based professional development to the science faculty as another positive achievement within the district.

“The resources we receive from the local sharing makes to possible to purchase supplies beyond paper and glue. It makes it a possible to supply our students with supplies for creative learning,”

said Celeste Diehm, principal of Baker Elementary.

posted June 5, 2012 7:20 am edt