Eklutna’s Native Village Unveils Exclusive Gaming Hall Experience in Birchwood

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Native Village of Eklutna initiated operations of the Chin’an Gaming Hall for a limited quantity of invited guests for the inaugural time Monday evening.

The Village has persistently pursued the gaming hall, which secured the final environmental assessment and endorsement on Jan. 16 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Following this approval, NVE inaugurated a temporary venue while awaiting the establishment of a permanent building.

“It is now official, the Chin’an Gaming Hall has commenced its operations,” stated Aaron Leggett, President of the Native Village of Eklutna, in a declaration Monday evening. “This marks a monumental achievement in the pursuit of genuine self-determination for the Native Village of Eklutna. Chin’an signifies ‘thank you’ in Dena’ina/Athabascan.”

In the same declaration, the Village acknowledged the rapid progression of the process toward opening and fully operating the hall, as their community has long awaited this opportunity.

The hall is situated in Birchwood and Chugiak on ancestral territories owned by members of the Eklutna Tribe.

Currently, the hall is accessible to eight patrons at once for the short term, who are presently by invitation only, but it will eventually open to the general public. The temporary venue can accommodate up to 85 gaming devices, while the permanent hall is anticipated to hold up to 700.

Presently, no alcoholic beverages are offered at the venue; however, the Village indicates they would adhere to state licensing agreements should they choose to serve alcohol in the future. Additionally, the Village aims to establish two restaurants at the permanent location.

Since the facility resides on a native allotment, it falls outside the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Anchorage, but the Native Village of Eklutna and the Municipality have formed a temporary agreement whereby the Tribe compensates for public safety services rendered to the land.

The Native Village of Eklutna estimates that a permanent facility will require 13 to 15 months to finalize, with an opening projected around 2026.

Editor’s note: An earlier iteration of this article incorrectly stated that Chugiak and Birchwood are unincorporated communities. Both Chugiak and Birchwood are part of the Municipality of Anchorage.

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