The Native Village of Eklutna is aggressively advancing the construction of its highly anticipated casino, even as legal challenges and public opposition grow. Situated about a mile west of the North Birchwood exit off the Glenn Highway, Alaska, the site is now bustling with activity. Heavy machinery, trailers, and construction workers are on the ground, with security guards ensuring the progress continues uninterrupted. The construction effort, which includes clearing land and setting up temporary structures, seems to be in a race against time—likely in an attempt to open the facility before the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.

Marnell Gaming partners with Eklutna for high-stakes development:

At the heart of the project is a partnership between the Native Village of Eklutna and Marnell Gaming, a Las Vegas-based casino development firm known for its high-profile projects such as the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace. While both parties remain tight-lipped about the financial specifics of the deal, early signs indicate significant investment. On-site, wrapped slot machines hint at the scale of the operation, though a clear timeline for opening has not yet been established.

The push to develop the casino follows a critical legal shift. For decades, federal policy, starting with the administration of George H.W. Bush, prohibited Indian gaming in Alaska due to the unique status of Native lands in the state. Most Native-controlled territories did not qualify as “Indian country,” a legal designation crucial for gambling activities on Native American reservations in the Lower 48 states. This longstanding restriction was overturned in early 2024 when Robert Anderson, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Solicitor, issued an opinion reversing the previous stance. Anderson’s ruling paved the way for the Native Village of Eklutna to move forward with its casino plans on the 8-acre Ondola Allotment in Birchwood, a decision that was immediately capitalized upon by the tribe and Marnell Gaming.

In September 2024, reports surfaced indicating that part of the allotment had already been cleared in preparation for the project. But it wasn’t until December 2024 that the first formal challenge emerged from local residents. A group of eight Birchwood residents filed a lawsuit contesting both the casino’s legitimacy and the tribal status of the Native Village of Eklutna. Don Mitchell, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, suggested that the accelerated timeline may be a reaction to the legal threats facing the casino’s future. He speculated that the tribe’s legal team might be trying to secure operational status before the new administration could intervene in the ongoing litigation. “Aaron Leggett, the president of the Native Village of Eklutna, has repeatedly said that they would open their casino late in 2025. The fact that they are doing this in the dead of night on Friday suggests to me that Anthony Marnell has been advised by his attorneys…that their legal position is infirm,” Mitchell told The Alaska Landline.

Support from local leaders amid growing opposition:

Despite the legal battles, the project has garnered support from some political figures. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, in a statement issued on January 13, 2025, expressed her backing for the casino, citing the economic benefits it could bring to the community. In her comments, she highlighted the potential creation of over 450 construction jobs and 419 permanent positions once the casino is operational. LaFrance emphasized that the project aligns with the Native Village of Eklutna’s sovereignty and right to pursue economic development under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. “We’d like to formally share our support for the Native Village of Eklutna as it exercises its sovereignty and pursues economic development,” LaFrance said.

This support has not been universal within the local government. Assembly member Daniel Volland, representing North Anchorage, expressed concerns about the potential public health impacts of the casino, particularly the risks of addiction and its toll on families and communities. Volland questioned the mayor’s decision to support the project before fully understanding these implications, noting that the potential harms of the casino may outweigh its economic benefits.

Further complicating the situation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) granted the project a quick green light on January 16, 2025, approving the casino’s environmental assessment and issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This decision, which was made without a public announcement, is being scrutinized for its speed—particularly since such environmental reviews typically take months to complete. The BIA’s approval came just days after the close of the public comment period and, with federal courts closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, left little opportunity for the project’s opponents to take legal action before work continued.

Local residents, particularly those in Birchwood, are upset about the lack of transparency and community involvement. Several have expressed frustration over the rapid pace of construction and the disruption it has caused to the neighborhood. According to reports, work is being conducted at all hours, including during the night, with some questioning how the village could secure all necessary permits in such a short time.