Michigan Senate votes to stop Allegan County casino

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 | 10:12 a.m.

LANSING, Mich. -- The state Senate voted Wednesday to stop the Gun Lake tribe from opening a casino in western Michigan, winning praise from antigambling groups and criticism from tribe officials.

The Senate voted 24-11 to approve a measure to rescind its endorsement of a compact that would allow the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians to operate a casino in Allegan County.

The House and Senate approved the tribe's compact in December 2002, but neither former Republican Gov. John Engler nor Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm have signed it.

The compact, as negotiated, requires House and Senate approval. The Senate's action effectively blocks the casino from opening, said Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming.

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