The Gun Lake Tribe has announced fall revenue sharing payment of $5.7 million with state and local governments.
The State of Michigan received $3,293,020 and the local revenue sharing board received $1,475,308. GLIMI, an economic development entity, received $987,906.
The figures are calculated from electronic gaming revenues reported from April 1 to Sept. 30. The fall revenue sharing distribution total of $5,756,234 is the lowest ever for Gun Lake Casino in a six-month period. The Casino shut down for nearly three months at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Tribe’s commitment to make a positive impact on our local community has never been stronger as we all persevere through the pandemic,” said Bob Peters, chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe. “This distribution would not be possible without the dedication of our executives and team members at the casino. We thank them immensely and congratulate them for helping us surpass $150 million in revenue sharing.”
The Gun Lake Casino earlier this year announced reduced hours of operation, closure of food and beverage outlets, including no sale of adult beverages, no smoking and increased sanitation measures to assist in the effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. The casino’s Play it Safe Initiative intends to create a safe environment for team members and guests.
The tribe has now shared more than $98 million with the State of Michigan, which directs the payments to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC in turn awards grants to businesses to invest in Michigan and create jobs.
The Tribe’s state revenue sharing payments are dependent on the continued preservation of exclusive gaming rights within its competitive market area, as defined by the tribal-state gaming compact, which also includes state-wide expansion of certain lottery games. The market area 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. The local payments are made under terms of the gaming compact independent of gaming exclusivity. Local payments now total more than $35 million.
Gun Lake Casino opened in February 2011 and now employs more than 1,100 team members. The Gun Lake Tribe has now shared $150,047,785 with state and local governments over 20 distributions.