The Gun Lake Casino and six other Michigan tribal casinos are planning to open before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order expires June 12.
“Just as the state consults health professionals and experts in various fields, we also have experts and professionals advising the tribes and guiding our efforts,” Bob Peters, tribal chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe Tribal Council, said. “We make these decisions and implement these procedures with the best evidence and knowledge provided to us.”
Gun Lake Casino’s opening today was reported to be scheduled for Monday, June 8.
The other tribal casinos opening soon include the FireKeepers near Battle Creek, Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant, Bay Mills Indian Community, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino near Standish.
The tribal casinos voluntarily closed in March to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, but plan to move to reopen as sovereign tribal governments.
All tribal officials said they will follow health and safety guidelines, such as requiring staff to wear masks and limiting the number of guests allowed. Guests also have to have their temperatures taken before entry and will be denied if the temperature is above 100.4 degrees.
Each tribe has set different procedures, which are being overseen by the tribal gaming commissions.
FireKeepers will open at 11 a.m. Monday, June 1.
“During the past few weeks, the FireKeepers leadership team has worked diligently in every area of the casino and hotel to develop strategies to safely operate during these unprecedented times,” FireKeepers CEO Kathy George said.
FireKeepers will insist everyone wear a face covering or mask, physical distancing will be required, no smoking will be allowed, there will be no valet parking, the hotel pool and gym will be closed, the self-service beverage stations will be closed, the poker room, bingo hall, the Mijem buffet and Chi Mon-ee’s restaurant will remain closed.
