The Bay Mills Indian Community of Michigan shut down its off-reservation casino on Tuesday after a federal judge said it was operating illegally.

The tribe opened the casino in Vanderbilt last November. It drew immediate controversy because the tribe acknowledged the gaming site was not placed in trust.

Instead, the tribe argued that gaming was allowed because the site was purchased in connection with a land claim settlement. Judge Paul Maloney disagreed in a decision that led to the closure of the facility.

The Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act "does not authorize Bay Mills to purchase the Vanderbilt Tract from the earnings in the Land Trust," Maloney wrote.

The ruling was cheered by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the state of Michigan, which were parties to the litigation. But other tribes in the state also called for the closure of the Bay Mills casino.

The Bay Mills Indian Community has not said whether it will appeal.

Get the Story:
Businesses say casino closure will hurt Vanderbilt (Up North Live 3/29)
Vanderbilt casino follows injunction, closes Tuesday (The Gaylord Herald Times 3/30)
Tribe closes Up North casino after judge's order (The Detroit Free Press 3/30)
Bay Mills Indians' Vanderbilt casino shut down (The Detroit News 3/30)
Judge orders Tribal casino to close (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 3/30)
Potential casino takes big blow (The Port Huron Times Herald 3/30)
Flint Township officials say they still haven't talked to Bay Mills Indian Community about land it owns here (The Flint Journal 3/30)

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

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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)
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