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Michigan tribes shared $29.2 million of gaming revenue with local communities in FY 2016

Detroit, Nov. 2, 2107 – Native American tribes sent $29.2 million in gaming-related payments to local governments and revenue sharing boards in Michigan during fiscal year 2016, according to a report published by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi distributed $6 million in payments, which was the largest amount disbursed by any of the dozen tribes. Overall, revenue sharing was up 2­ percent from fiscal year 2015, which indicates a general increase in the tribes’ net win from slot machines.

The report, Receipts and Distribution of Indian Casino Revenue by Local Revenue Sharing Boards, includes revenue sharing distributions for each tribe to the local communities. As required by Public Act 268 of 2016, the MGCB prepares the report annually.

Tribal gaming compacts with the state of Michigan and associated federal court consent judgments require payments to local governments or revenue sharing boards.  The revenue sharing amount equals 2 percent of the tribal casinos’ net win from slot machines.  Data was provided by the tribes and the seven local revenue sharing boards in Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Emmet, Manistee and Van Buren counties. The tribes follow different fiscal calendars and payment periods.

Some of the largest revenue-sharing payments of $1 million or more went to public school districts:

  • Harper Creek Community Schools, $2.1 million (FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board/Nottawaseppi Huron Band)
  • Wayland Union Schools, $1.6 million (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Wayland Township Area Local Revenue Sharing Board)Receipts_and_Distribution_Report_2016_w_tables
  • New Buffalo Public Schools, $1.5 million (New Buffalo Revenue Sharing Board/Pokagon Band)
  • Mount Pleasant Public Schools, $1 million (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe)
  • The tribes are:

    • Bay Mills Indian Community
    • Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
    • Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe)
    • Hannahville Indian Community
    • Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
    • Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
    • Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
    • Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians
    • Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
    • Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
    • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
    • Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

    Since 1994, Native American tribes operating casinos in Michigan have paid more than $437 million in revenue sharing payments to local units of government and revenue sharing boards.

    "The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan."