Michigan’s Tribal Casinos About to Get Into It With The Gov

Things in Michigan are about to get very interesting.

Earlier this week, the Island Resort and Casino in the Upper Peninsula announced they would be staging a phased re-opening, starting this past Wednesday.  According to BridgeMI.com, on Monday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told the casino, if they opened, visitors would be “subject to civil and criminal penalties”. Tuesday evening, the Island Resort announced they would NOT be opening on Wednesday and re-scheduled their re-opening for May 16th.

But, they didn't have to - Michigan’s 12 federally recognized Native American tribes are sovereign nations - not bound by the laws of the State of Michigan. Of course, May 16th was a day after Michigan's stay-at-home order was set to expire - until Gov. Whitmer extended it to May 28th. Now what happens?

Now, the Island Resort and Casino and at least five other tribal casinos in Michigan's U.P. - including the Kewadin Casinos - still plan to open on May 16th. (Soaring Eagle Casino - I knew you were wondering - says they will not be opening early and no word yet on Firekeepers' plan) State officials and tribal leaders have a conference call scheduled for early next week to talk about the openings.

Here's the story.