NVE Gaming Hall Project
Q&A – Chin’an Gaming Hall
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is now open! As of February 3rd, the temporary gaming hall facility is fully operational and welcoming guests. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of our permanent facility and other developments. Thank you for your interest and support.
For more information, please visit https://chinancasino.com/.
Q&A – Chin’an Gaming Hall
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is open and fully operational. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of our permanent facility and other developments. Thank you for your interest and support.
For more information, please visit https://chinancasino.com/.
General Information
Is the gaming hall open?
Yes, the Chin’an Gaming Hall is open and welcoming guests. The Native Village of Eklutna hopes to begin construction on the planned permanent facility soon.
Where is Chin’an Gaming Hall located?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is situated on our ancestral homelands, a short distance off the Glenn Highway.
Address:
20813 Birchwood Spur Rd
Chugiak, AK 99567
Why was it built in Birchwood instead of Anchorage?
The gaming hall sits on a Native allotment that has been owned by Eklutna Tribal members for decades. Because the Native allotment is Tribal land and it’s within the Tribe’s ancestral homelands, the gaming hall falls under the Tribe’s jurisdiction.
Gaming & Facilities
What types of games are offered?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall offers electronic gaming machines only—no card or table games. For more information on the game types offered at Chin’an, please visit https://chinancasino.com/.
What will the permanent facility look like?
The permanent building will be a modest building approximately 58,000 sq. ft. in size and situated on six acres of land. The surrounding acreage will be designated for parking and landscaping. It will not look or operate like the Las Vegas-style casinos or the lower 48 tribal casinos.
Is there food or alcohol available?
The current facility has snacks and coffee available to purchase. No alcohol is served in the current facility.
The Native Village of Eklutna hopes to open two restaurants in the permanent facility. If alcohol is served, the Tribe would comply with applicable state licensing requirements.
Community & Tribal Impact
How does the gaming hall help the Tribe and the community?
Our Tribe has struggled for many years to develop a strong, sustainable tribal economy that allows us to provide the best care for our people and be a positive partner to all our neighbors.
Revenue from the Chin’an Gaming Hall plays a vital role in supporting this mission. It will enable the Tribe to provide much-needed support including housing initiatives, employment opportunities, job training, scholarships, cultural enhancement programs, and healthcare services. It is also helping the Tribe build a Gathering Center that will be a community space, educational center, and emergency-response center.
The Tribe has made multiple charitable contributions to local nonprofits using revenue from Chin’an. In August, the Chin’an Gaming Hall funded and installed two new bus shelters for the Tribe through gaming hall revenue. Every visit to Chin’an allows us to invest directly back into the Tribe and our community.
Is the Tribe paying taxes for emergency services?
Yes. The Native Village of Eklutna and the Municipality of Anchorage have entered into an interim intergovernmental agreement where the Tribe helps cover the cost of emergency services. This agreement will provide a steady, predictable funding stream for local first responders.
The site is already within existing municipal public safety service areas; the interim agreement merely enables the Tribe to offset the potential cost increase to the Municipality resulting from the development of the parcel.
What other taxes is the Tribe paying for the project site?
As provided in the Alaska Native Allotment Act, restricted Native allotments are exempt from local and state property taxes.
The Chin’an Gaming Hall pays payroll withholding taxes. As mentioned above, the Tribe has entered into an interim intergovernmental agreement to help offset the costs of providing municipal services that would otherwise be covered (in part) by property taxes.
Traffic & Accessibility
What measures are being considered to address pedestrian safety and traffic flow?
The Native Village of Eklutna recognizes that the Chin’an Gaming Hall increases both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. To improve safety, the Tribe is working with the Alaska Department of Transportation to assess needs and plan for possible improvements. In August, we also paved the parking lot to make it safer and more convenient for guests.