Anchorage Mayor Champions Eklutna Gaming Venture Amid State Pushback

A contentious gaming hall proposed by the Native Village of Eklutna has gained the support of the Anchorage mayor, even as the governor of the state requests the incoming Trump administration to overturn its validation.

The Chin’an Gaming Hall, designed for a 6.5-acre site on the outskirts of Anchorage, has been endorsed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, who referenced a potential multitude of new job opportunities and additional economic advantages in statements to Alaska Public Media (APM).

“We believe there would also be a spillover effect that might enhance adjacent businesses, hotels, and employees,” LaFrance remarked to APM.

The Chin’an Gaming Hall represents a possible flashpoint for Indian gaming in Alaska. The Eklutna tribe initiated the pursuit of the hall in February 2024 following the Interior Department’s reinterpretation of Alaskan land regulations, which aimed to extend Native jurisdiction over tribal territories within the state. By August 2024, as indicated by previous Tribal Business News reports, the tribe secured preliminary authorization from the National Indian Gaming Commission. In December, the Interior issued its environmental assessment, which, according to LaFrance, identified no major issues.

Local property owners have opposed the gaming hall, while Gov. Mike Dunleavy has placed the revocation of any approvals for the hall on a list of demands to President-elect Donald Trump. In December, property owners lodged a lawsuit against NIGC acting chair Sharon Avery to halt the gaming hall’s construction, as stated in a legal document.

One of the plaintiffs, Brian Hall, informed APM that the gaming hall poses the danger of driving away local wildlife and adversely affecting the nearby community.

“We are a tightly-knit community,” he expressed. “If the casino is established, it will transform the entire atmosphere of the neighborhood.”

Eklutna Village President Aaron Leggett conveyed his “disappointment” regarding the lawsuit, as reported by a report from KTUU, but emphasized his commitment to collaborating with project stakeholders for mutual advantages.

“We aim to collaborate with all stakeholders, including project neighbors, to ensure any potential gaming hall is beneficial in every conceivable manner,” Leggett stated.