Michigan Indian tribe eyes second casino

7.16.08

Indian tribe plans for 2nd western Michigan casino

An American Indian tribe plans to open its second western Michigan casino at a closed thoroughbred horse racing track in the Muskegon area.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians said Wednesday it's buying Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon County's Fruitport Township. The tribe's Little River Casino Resort is near Manistee.

Canada's Magna Entertainment closed the track last fall, saying it lost money there for years.

Tribal Chief Larry Romanelli, a Muskegon businessman, tells The Muskegon Chronicle the casino planned for the track site would bring jobs, businesses and tourism to the area.

Township Supervisor Ronald Cooper tells WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids it's too early to know how the township board will react.

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians: http://www.lrboi.com/

NOTE: Detroit-based gambling men Michael J. Malik, Sr. (aka Mike Malik) (MJM Manistee) and Tom Celani (Manistee Gaming) were behind the original Little River Casino Resort in Manistee. It's also been reported that Mrs. Marian Ilitch -- she now owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino -- was also a financial backer of the original Little River Casino. While Celani continued to manage the Little River Casino until 2004, documents filed with the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) indicate Mike Malik was removed from the management contract by at least 2002.