Michigan: Grand Traverse Band to launch temporary casino in Benzonia next week

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) is set to open a temporary casino next week (22 January) in Benzonia, marking the tribe's third gambling facility in Michigan. Located at 7282 Hoadley Road, the casino will occupy a tribal government building and will serve as a testing ground to gauge public interest in a permanent facility.  

GTB operates two established casinos in the state: Turtle Creek Casino & Lodge in Williamsburg and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge in Peshawbestown, alongside the non-gaming Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. 

While the facility is temporary, GTB CEO Johnny Barrientoz noted its potential: “At some point down the road, once we get operations running and we can make plans to develop a new casino on that property somewhere, we will actually turn that original building back over to the government operations.”  

The temporary casino will offer slot machines and table games, with space for approximately 250 patrons. The tribe plans to monitor its performance over the coming year to inform the scale and scope of a permanent facility. The opening follows a soft launch exclusive to tribal members earlier in the month.  

Barrientoz highlighted the casino’s role in stimulating the local economy, creating around 40 jobs with competitive wages, and addressing limited employment opportunities in Benzie County. "This is just going to change their lives, change their future, and give them opportunities that they currently don’t have," he said.  

Construction and renovation efforts have been led by Traverse City-based Litten Development, with updates to electrical systems, architecture, and interior finishes nearing completion. Additionally, a new parking lot with 90 spaces has been added to the site, which spans approximately 47 acres of trust land.  

The Benzonia property resides on land held in trust since GTB's federal recognition in 1980. Following a 120-day review, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Bureau of Indian Affairs raised no objections, allowing the GTB Gaming Commission to issue a license for the facility in November.  

GTB’s 1993 gaming compact with Michigan, which outlines regulations for Class III gaming on trust land, ensures the project’s compliance. The tribe has a history of overcoming legal challenges, such as with Turtle Creek Casino, and remains confident about the Benzonia site’s qualifications.  

The Grand Traverse Band is one of the earliest tribal gaming operators in Michigan, first entering the industry in the late 1980s. While GTB progresses with its expansion, other tribes in the state face hurdles. 

For instance, the Little River Band’s 14-year effort to establish a new casino in Fruitport ended unsuccessfully, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is battling for approval to build near Detroit.  

Currently, Michigan hosts 23 tribal casinos, which collectively contributed $3.05 billion to the state's economy and supported over 25,700 jobs as of 2023, according to the American Gaming Association. As GTB prepares for its latest venture, community leaders have expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential benefits. Benzie County Commissioner Bob Roelofs stated: “We’re looking forward to seeing this get opened up.”