Editorial: Put a stop to off-reservation gaming plans in Michigan

If the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians gets its way, two new casinos will be constructed in southeast Michigan — in Lansing and in Huron Township, near Detroit Metro Airport.

Meanwhile, the Bay Mills Indian Tribe wants to reopen its closed facility near Vanderbilt in northern Michigan’s Otsego County and establish new casinos near Flint and Port Huron.

The gambling venues clearly sidestep current regulations and would come at the expense of present casinos in a gambling market that has become saturated. Revenue has already fallen at the Detroit casinos with the introduction of gaming to neighboring Ohio.

Also, it would set a precedent that could open the door for other Indian tribes to open a virtually unlimited number of casinos in the state.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed lawsuits in federal court to stop the tribes’ efforts to construct and operate new gaming houses.

The first lawsuit against the Bay Mills tribe has temporarily shut down the Vanderbilt casino. A separate action seeks to halt the Lansing and Huron Township venues.