Still Awaiting Permanent Building, Eklutna Fully Opens Chin’an Gaming Hall
Photo Credit: Duallogic | Envato
A grand opening of Chin’an Gaming Hall by the Native Village of Eklutna (NVE) precedes an even grander affair once the tribe constructs a permanent building for the attraction.
As of Monday, February 3, the temporary location of the gaming hall is fully open to the public. The facility had been operating on a limited basis for two weeks, with invited guests. Eklutna tribal members held a private ceremony on February 2 to celebrate and bless the facility.
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“This will be remembered as a historic day for the Eklutna Tribe. The Chin’an Gaming Hall is a symbol of the tribe exercising its sovereignty in a way that will improve the lives of tribal members and benefit Alaska for generations to come,” says NVE President Aaron Leggett. “The safety and respect for our neighbors and customers are our top priorities. We believe the Chin’an Gaming Hall holds tremendous economic development potential—not only for our Tribal members but also for the broader community. We are committed to ensuring all stakeholders benefit from this facility.”
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NVE hopes to begin construction on a permanent facility soon. Anticipated to open next year, the 50,000-square-foot casino on Birchwood Spur Road would hold two restaurants and 700 video gaming machines, such as bingo and pull tabs, but not any traditional gambling tables. The National Indian Gaming Commission approved NVE’s proposal last July.
“We are humbled by this opportunity to introduce a new gaming experience to Southcentral Alaska,” says Chin’an Gaming Hall General Manager Ryan Walker. “We will strive to be good neighbors to Birchwood and the surrounding communities and will work to share in any success we have.”
An independent economic analysis by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates the Chin’an Gaming Hall will generate more than $67 million of new economic activity per year and will support more than 410 jobs. Revenue will enable NVE to support housing and healthcare initiatives, employment opportunities, job training, scholarships, and cultural enhancement.
“The Native Village of Eklutna wants to thank the Bureau of Indian Affairs staff and management for their extensive work on the environmental assessment,” says Leggett. “This was an incredibly thorough review process, and we appreciate their dedication. I also want to thank the NVE staff and Tribal Council—none of this would be possible without your hard work.”
The Chin’an Gaming Hall (“Chin’an” means “Thank You” in Dena’ina Athabascan) is open 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday. Hours may change as development advances.
Left unresolved is a legal question about the State of Alaska’s jurisdiction over Alaska Native Allotments. A court ruling in 2021 found that NVE did not have jurisdiction over its land in a manner that legalizes gaming, and last year’s US Department of Interior determination conflicted with that ruling. The Alaska Department of Law filed suit the day after Chin’an Gaming Hall’s grand opening seeking a conclusive decision.
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