Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe received compact approval from the State of Michigan in 1993. As a result of the compact, it allows the tribe to set up a Class III casino. The compacts are agreements between the tribal communities and the State. The Governor assigns the MGCB (Michigan Gaming Control Board) with the task of auditing and overseeing these approved compacts.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has contributed the most funds in 2020. On May 26, 2021, the Tribe announced their 2% bi-annual distribution of casino money to local communities. The money will go to local governments and schools. To date, the Tribe has provided $266,353,058.53 to the local communities through the distributions. Since the beginning of Class III Tribal gambling in the State, these distributions are granted to communities.
Bi-Annual 2021 Awards
During this distribution Arenac County will be awarded over $720,000 for education. In addition, health and safety programs will receive several hundred thousand dollars. The health of the tribe’s members is of high interest in the community. The distribution is to be awarded on May 28, 2021. Secondly, Isabella County will be awarded their funds on May 27, 2021. Isabella County receives over $2 million in funds with over $500 thousand targeting education.
Gambling Revenue Fund Management
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe announced their 2% bi-annually disbursement of gambling revenue to local communities. Michigan’s tribal casinos generate a great deal of money from its patrons. A portion of each Tribe’s gambling revenue is remitted to their surrounding communities. Each tribe contributes 2% of their net wins to the local revenue sharing board or Michigan State Government. As a result, this money is provided to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF). After that, the MEDC and MSF transfers the gambling revenue to the local communities.
Top Four Tribes Giving Back to Local Communities
Each tribe in the State of Michigan remits 2% of their gambling revenue to local communities. The revenue numbers are staggering. Just to give you an sense of the contribution to the casino fund, the following top four 2020 Tribal disbursements are listed below:
- Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe- $5,293,564
- Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi- $4,918,734
- Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians- $4,396,495
- Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians- $3,684,810
Online Gambling Coming to Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Casino
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has 3 casinos. The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort/ Soaring Eagle Slot Palace- Mount Pleasant, MI (4000 machines) and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino – Standish, MI (800 machines). [1] GAN, a publicly traded company and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe recently announced an agreement for software integration to open their own online gambling platform. During January 2021 online gambling and sports betting became legal in the State of Michigan.
In conclusion, the expansion of online gambling will have a positive impact on the amount of revenue shared with local communities.