Four Winds Casino disputes over sharing record profits

The Michigan Gaming Control Board released figures that show Four Winds Casino brings in twenty four million dollars a month. In fact figures show the casino continue to bring in a steady stream of revenue since it opened.

But the tribe could be in trouble for violating an agreement with the state.

Ten years ago The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians signed an agreement to share profits from the slots with state and local government.

Since the casino opened last August the tribe has missed two payments.

In the agreement two percent of the net revenue from electronic gaming devices would go to local municipalities and eight percent would go to the state.

The tribe owes nearly four million dollars and sixteen million dollars to the state. The Michigan Gaming Control Board shows that the tribe will owe a total of nearly twenty million dollars to the government.

It's money county officials were banking on to help provide more police protection around the casino. Instead the New Buffalo Township has taken out loans to pay for the equipment.

“We are paying good money for public safety in the area now and the work that is being done is paid for in advances and loans and we want the money to be released so we could be operating on more stable cash basis,” says the Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf.

The state is threatening to take legal action.

A spokesperson from the tribe says they would like the revenue sharing board to re-organize before they release the money.

Currently the board is looking for a third member.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: The Government Location: USA on Jul 5, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Our governments squander our money and then want to point the finger at the Pokagan Band for wanting to wait for re-organization. Gambling is illegal until they stand to make money from it then it's ok, typical hypocrites.

Posted by: William Go Tell on Jul 5, 2008 at 03:19 PM
In addition to GABE (that'd be 'piece of hell' not "peace of hell")someone in New Buffalo seems to be talking with forked tongue. Is anyone surprised of the potential of lies and corruption when millions of gambling dollars are being fought over? That gentlemen's club GABE so abhores seems like a breath of fresh air in comparison to me.

Posted by: MM on Jul 5, 2008 at 10:58 AM
govt is supposed to protect you not abuse you. the federal,state,county,local govts are UNCONSTTUTUIONAL! the casino has no moral responsibility to give anything to govt. they have a moral responsibility to take care of their investors and employees. and to help out the communities around them . if you paint your house-paint the neighborhoods homes-your area will increase in value.

Posted by: Hey Todd on Jul 5, 2008 at 06:32 AM
"College Educated" does not always mean "intelligent." I work with people who have also spent 4 years of their life "educating" themselves out of books or listening to Professors who can't find the restroom. Being able to spell is remedial Grade School stuff. Portraying yourself as "better than thou" because you understand grammar is 4th grade jibberish. Grow Up....

Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Jul 4, 2008 at 11:41 PM
TB, thanks for pointing out my one spelling error. I might add to you that only one question mark is proper. Also, your question mark in the first sentence should of been out side of the quote. There was an ending punctuation missing. You also have several fragments. Yes, I am educated. College educated, thank you.

Posted by: not sure Location: mi on Jul 4, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Just close the casino so 2500 people are out of a job and insurance. That means raise our taxes to help support 2500 people that are out of a job and their medical bills. Just stay out of the politics and let them settle it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 4, 2008 at 05:42 PM
The city/county should just close the road to the casino and say they need the $$ to fix it. No one in until thye get the $$.

Posted by: TB Location: Berrien County on Jul 4, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Gabe Grarzol from South Bend, "Greedy pigs that have no sole???" Since when DID pigs have soles or any other parts of foot coverings????? Or wear shoes???? And Todd from the same place, "If they had kept their ethnic organs?" What did they trade their organs in for organs of the non ethnic kind???? Any of you people go to school??? Did you two mean "soul" and "origins?"

Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Jul 4, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Blood sucking government? Hardly. You all complain about high taxes but think this is ok? No! They made an agreement when the license was issued and they need to follow it...board or not. They don't need a board, they need to pay their share. They are tax free in all their ventures, this is the least they can do. There are no remaining Indians from when the treaty was made..so why do they still give the benefits? They live like us, they should pay like us. It would be more fine if they kept their ethnic organs, but they have not.

Posted by: Ed Location: Baroda on Jul 4, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Maybe the local and state governments should charge a several million dollar late fee. Stick with your responsibility and pay on time. The interest earned on any monies should be passed on to gov. also.

Posted by: GABE GRATZOL Location: ELK. on Jul 4, 2008 at 10:25 AM
IF ANYONE IS SUPRISED THAT THE PEOPLE RUNNING A CASINO WOULD BE HONEST IS JUST STUPID. THEY ARE ALL GREEDY PIGS THAT HAVE NO SOLE. AND NOW THEY WANT EVEN MORE (GENTLE MENS CLUB) NEW BUFFALO IS BECOMING A LITTLE PEACE OF HELL ON EARTH.

Please do not post in all caps. Thank you - wndu.com

Posted by: One who knows on Jul 4, 2008 at 09:46 AM
The loan for the New Buffalo Sheriff Deputy coverage has been given by the Pokagon Fund to keep Police Protection up and operational until the local revenue sharing board dispute is resolved. If the state goverments and local sharing boards keep changing the game(ie violating the compact) this will not get resolved. At least the Tribe has seen to it to loan the money out temporarily until the dispute can be resolved.

Posted by: j dog on Jul 4, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Mr. wolf just wants more money in his pockets

Posted by: Shan on Jul 4, 2008 at 05:50 AM
First, Bet on "Red", close the casino and approximately two thousand employees lose their jobs. This isn't including the police, and they'll probably cut down on officers since they'll have nothing else to do. We all know this area depeserately needs more jobs. Second, in reference to the article, doesn't this casino have a license with Lakes Entertainment? Most employees who were hired during the summer were told this. (Check out the bottom of the main website also.) Third, the casino does give out money to the local schools. Fourth, how accurate is the all of the news? This could be gossip, exaggeration, or one side of the story.

Posted by: Brad Location: Warsaw on Jul 4, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Close the casino!!! That would take away 90% of the profit into that town. I'm not a guy that enjoys adult entertainment, but with the economy, you commuity has been giving 2 options to keep your area on the up and up. Casino 1 Strip Club 2. Close the Casino and watch your econmy. Sorry. Welcome to 2008.

Posted by: Tator on Jul 3, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Blood sucking government..

Posted by: keith Location: watervliet michigan on Jul 3, 2008 at 10:12 PM
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is putting the money owed in interest making accounts for both local and state governments. They are not trying to avoid paying agreed upon revenue,would just want both parties to follow all agreements to both state and local compacts.

Posted by: Pat Location: Middleofnowherebury on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:25 PM
From the politically correct cynics: We call 'em Native-American Givers...

Posted by: Bet On "Red" Location: South Bend on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Simple Solution: Shut the casino down. No more revenue in the door... 0. Keep the casino shut down until they pay what they agreed upon. While the casino is closed, less police protection will be required. Charge the casino the interest the township has had to pay on loans taken. A casino is all about the money... take away their incoming revenue and they will change their attitude. Get the courts involved (either side) and bet on "red" (your bottom line at the end of the day!).

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 08:35 PM
close it !

Posted by: Brad Location: Niles on Jul 3, 2008 at 07:53 PM
And yet taxes will probably be raised. How odd so much money. Yet the government complains about not having enough. GREED!

Posted by: Chuck Location: south bend on Jul 3, 2008 at 07:44 PM
the state should come in and lock out the casino, I'll bet they would cut that 20 million check in about 24 hours.

Who did best at Thursday night's vice-presidential debate?

	Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE)
	Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)
	Neither, it was a draw

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