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When casinos and gaming are brought into local conversation, Alaskans usually imagine the flashing lights, loud noises and enormous facilities in places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, New Jersey.
But what if gaming looked different? Smaller, quieter and more culturally and community-focused? That is the future that the Native Village of Eklutna is exploring.
For years, the Native Village of Eklutna has pursued ways to foster a sustainable economy that benefits both our tribal members and the surrounding community. Recently, we began clearing a small amount of land for what could be the next step in our journey: a modest gaming hall.
The proposed Eklutna gaming hall would not be another Las Vegas-style casino. It would not feature sprawling resorts or expansive gaming floors filled with card tables and roulette wheels. In fact, it would be quite the opposite.
Situated on just six acres off the Glenn Highway, near the Birchwood airport and railroad, the proposed Eklutna gaming hall would consist of electronic machines only — no card or table games. It would have up to about 700 total machines — one-third of the machines found at a full-sized casino. It would also have one full-service restaurant.
The proposed Eklutna gaming hall would be built on Native allotment land. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) allows for this kind of development, and it’s important to note that this project is completely unrelated to the issue of tribes taking land into trust. If the project is allowed to move forward, the Tribe’s gaming operation would be strictly regulated under IGRA.
We have not made any decisions yet about operating hours or whether alcohol will be served, but the hall’s primary purpose would be to serve as an economic engine for our people. This is not an effort to replicate the gaming models seen in tribal casino resorts like Muckleshoot or Tulalip Resorts in Washington State. Rather, it would be to create something unique, something Alaskan, and something deeply rooted in supporting the Native Village of Eklutna’s people and our heritage.
For years, our Tribe has sought to build a tribal economy strong enough to provide the services our people need and deserve. The proposed Eklutna gaming hall could give us that opportunity. Revenue from this project would support housing initiatives, health care, scholarships and cultural programs for our tribal members. In addition, it would offer a chance to further contribute to the surrounding economy by creating jobs for both tribal members and the local community.
We know there will be questions, concerns and curiosity about the project, and we welcome that. As we learn more about the project, we will provide timely updates, address issues that arise and ensure that Alaskans are informed and engaged.
Particularly, as it relates to charitable gaming, I want to emphasize that the Eklutna gaming hall would not replace or undermine these charitable ventures, nor would it take away from their important work. The modest scale and local focus of the project means the gaming hall would complement — not compete with — the existing gaming-related enterprises.
The Eklutna gaming hall is about creating a better future for our Tribe, our people and the surrounding community. It presents an exciting Alaska Native-led economic opportunity that aligns with the broader goals of economic diversification and local growth.
Our journey has been long, and there are still hurdles ahead. The Native Village of Eklutna has been a positive community member, and we are committed to ensuring that any future gaming hall benefits everyone involved. This is not just about gaming — it’s about creating a sustainable, community-oriented future for our people for generations to come.
Aaron Leggett is the president of the Native Village of Eklutna.
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