"A court injunction that forced Vanderbilt's casino to close Tuesday is a blow to the Bay Mills Indian Community -- and Port Huron. Those who believe this is the end of the matter, though, are kidding themselves.

It is unlikely the plaintiffs or defendants in this court case expected the federal district court decision to be the last word. Bay Mills appears to have gotten into this dispute for the long run.

The Vanderbilt casino, a modest operation in northern Michigan, was a test for Bay Mills' intention to build a more substantial gambling facility in Port Huron.

At issue, of course, is the Indian community's right to operate a casino -- in Vanderbilt or Port Huron -- without meeting the requirements that regulate and sanction Indian-run casinos in Michigan. Bay Mills' northern Michigan operation wasn't on Indian land as recognized by state government -- and it brought a court challenge from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the state attorney general, who filed federal suits in December that demanded the casino shut down."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Bay Mills bid for city casino hasn't ended (The Port Huron Times Herald 3/31)

District Court Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (March 29, 2011)

Related Stories:
Bay Mills Indian Community closes its off-reservation casino (3/30)
Judge orders Bay Mills to stop running off-reservation casino (3/29)
Judge promises a ruling 'soon' in Bay Mills off-reservation suit (3/24)
Judge holds hearing for Bay Mills off-reservation casino case (3/23)
March 23 hearing set in Bay Mills off-reservation casino dispute (3/2)
Michigan Tribes: Bay Mills off-reservation casino flouts the law (2/25)
Editorial: Bay Mills off-reservation casino remains pipe dream (2/15)
Hearing anticipated for Bay Mills off-reservation casino litigation (1/21)
Bay Mills Indian Community opens bigger off-reservation casino (1/19)
Opinion: Off-reservation casino won't benefit Michigan community (1/17)
Editorial: Let the dust settle in battle over off-reservation casino (1/10)
Little Traverse lawsuit cites 'devastating impact' from rival casino (1/6)
Local businesses see benefit from Bay Mills off-reservation casino (1/5)