Casino gives first rev. sharing checks

BRADLEY, Mich. (WOOD) - In the first real measure of success for the Gun Lake Casino, the Gun Lake tribe handed out its first revenue sharing checks Thursday, and they were larger than expected.

The numbers mean the casino, which struggled with financing once it was approved to build, is holding its own in a market that already has several casinos.

One of the checks was for just more than $2 million, to the state -- 8% of what the casino made off its electronic games, such as slot machines.

The other check was for nearly $515,000, or 2% of what the casino earned on those games. That money stays local, paying local police departments, schools and communities.

In the four months the casino has been open, it has earned nearly $26 million on electronic games alone. That figure does not include table games, drinks or food.

"Anything was a blessing, obviously," said Roger VanVolkinberg, the Wayland Township supervisor. "Like I said, we kind of worked off estimated numbers, so all along, my estimate of a $200,000 check to start was great in my mind. So, to see this one come through -- I'm almost speechless, to be honest with you."

VanVolkinberg is also the chairman of the local revenue sharing board.

The board will meet later in June to decide how the money will be distributed. Tribal casinos in Michigan make these revenue sharing payments twice a year.

At this rate, the numbers mean the local revenue sharing board could get a little more than $1 million in 2011 --
similar to payments made by casinos in Traverse City and Manistee.