Casino Stalker | Litigation

Judge orders Bay Mills to stop running off-reservation casino

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

UPDATE: An employee told The Port Huron Times that the casino has been closed.

A federal judge has given Bay Mills Indian Community of Michigan until noon to close its off-reservation casino.

Judge Paul Maloney said the casino is not located on Indian land, as defined by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. He issued a preliminary injunction against the tribe this morning.

"Bay Mills shall cease operating slot machines and other electronic games of chance or any other gaming activities currently offered on its property in Vanderbilt, Michigan," Maloney wrote in the decision. "Bay Mills shall not offer any other gaming activities on its property in Vanderbilt, Michigan, that may otherwise be allowed under its gaming compact with the State of Michigan."

The lawsuit was filed by the state of Michigan and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Maloney found that the Bay Mills casino "directly competes for gambling dollars" with the Little Traverse casino.

"Because Bay Mills is immune from suit for damages, Little Traverse Bay has no remedy to recover that revenue," Maloney said.

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