Native village expanding temporary Birchwood casino as legal questions remain unanswered
The Native Village of Eklutna is expanding its temporary Birchwood casino and seeking an alcohol license despite ongoing legal challenges.Summary
The Native Village of Eklutna is expanding its temporary Chin’an Gaming Hall in Birchwood, nearly doubling its size to accommodate 90 additional gaming machines and an outdoor food truck. This expansion comes as the village seeks to sell alcohol at the site, having purchased the Birchwood Saloon and initiating a liquor license transfer. While the casino has been successful, increasing resources for tribal members, its future and the legality of tribal gaming in Alaska remain uncertain. Legal battles from Birchwood residents and the state of Alaska challenge the village’s authority, and the National Indian Gaming Commission is reviewing its approval. Despite these obstacles, the village is moving forward with the expansion, confident in its ability to provide more services to its community.
(Source：Anchorage Daily News)