Wayland Casino Earns Victory

With a one-line ruling Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared to clear a major path toward construction of a casino in Wayland Township.

The court declined to hear a long-running case filed by casino opponents Michigan Gambling Opposition against the government and the tribe trying to build the casino. The Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians said the decision clears the way for the construction of the $200 million Gun Lake Casino.

But Michigan Gambling Opposition, or MichGO, has asked a federal judge to temporarily block the casino effort. The judge has until 5 p.m. Monday to make a ruling.

If a stay is approved, the tribe would be unable to take into trust the land for the casino until the high court rules on a Rhode Island case that could have implications here. But if the stay is rejected, both sides agree, there would be little recourse left to stop the casino.

For the complete story, please see Chris Knape, Court ruling may clear casino's pathSupreme Court won't hear case filed by opponents of Wayland gambling site, Kalamazoo Gazette, January 22, 2009.