juneau just got a casino

Juneau just opened its first casino.

The Central Council of the local tribe soft-opened the Two Coppers Casino on Douglas Island this week. It sits on Fish Creek Road out near Eaglecrest Ski Area, and it's one of only a few tribal casinos operating anywhere in Alaska.

A hundred electric slot-style machines fill the floor. There's no blackjack, no poker, and they're not serving alcohol. It's a class two gaming facility, which means pull tabs, bingo, and slot-style machines.

It's still technically a soft opening. The parking lot is still dirt, running water isn't fully connected, and construction is ongoing. The tribe is targeting July 1st for the official grand opening.

The legal side of this is worth knowing. The casino sits on a Native allotment, land owned by individual tribal citizens who lease it to the tribe. The federal government pulled back a legal opinion last fall that had supported this type of operation, which put some uncertainty on it. The tribe says their lawyers reviewed it and they're standing firm that they're operating legally.

Revenue from the casino goes back into tribal programs, elder services, and community support. The tribe's president is already talking about adding a small hotel and spa on the property over time.

Alaska has been one of the few states where tribal gaming barely existed. Whether this one holds up legally could change that picture for a lot of communities.