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/.
General Information
Is the gaming hall open?
Yes! After receiving approval from the BIA in mid-January, the Native Village of Eklutna opened a temporary gaming hall facility that is now fully open to the public. The Tribe hopes to begin construction on the permanent facility soon.
Where is Chin’an Gaming Hall located?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is located at:
20813 Birchwood Spur Rd
Chugiak, AK 99567
It is situated on our ancestral homelands, a short distance off the Glenn Highway in the Birchwood area near the local airport and railroad.
Why is the gaming hall built in the Birchwood area instead of Anchorage?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is built on a Native allotment owned for decades by Eklutna Tribal members. The Native allotment, leased to the Tribe, was selected to host the gaming hall as it falls within the Tribe’s ancestral homelands and under the Tribe’s jurisdiction.
Gaming & Facilities
What types of games does the gaming hall offer?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall offers electronic gaming machines—no card or table games. For more information on the game types offered by Chin’an, please visit https://chinancasino.com/.
What will the permanent facility for the Chin’an Gaming Hall look like?
The permanent facility 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.
The permanent facility will not look or operate like the casinos operated in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or even some of the lower 48 tribal casinos.
Does the gaming hall have a restaurant? Is alcohol served at the facility?
There is no restaurant in the temporary facility; however, snacks and coffee are available for purchase. Alcohol is not served in the temporary facility.
The Native Village of Eklutna hopes to open two restaurants in the permanent Chin’an Gaming Hall facility. At this time, no decision has been made for serving alcohol for the permanent facility. If alcohol is served, the Tribe would comply with applicable state licensing requirements.
Community & Tribal Impact
What does Chin’an Gaming Hall do for the Native Village of Eklutna?
Our Tribe has struggled for many years to develop a robust tribal economy that will enable us to provide the best care for our people and be a positive partner to all our neighbors. Our now-open gaming hall presents an incredible opportunity to reach these goals. The project’s revenue will provide critical benefits not just to the Tribe but also to the surrounding community.
What, if any, benefits will the gaming hall provide to the local community and/or nearby residents?
Revenue from the Chin’an Gaming Hall will enable the Tribe to provide much-needed support for its members and the surrounding community, including housing initiatives, employment opportunities, job training, scholarships, cultural enhancement programs, and healthcare services.
Is the Native Village of Eklutna purchasing additional lots around the Native allotment land to increase the size of the gaming hall?
The Chin’an Gaming Hall can only be built on the Native allotment. Some nearby land was purchased as a buffer for the project. We do not currently have plans for development on any adjacent parcels.
Environmental & Safety Considerations
Was an environmental assessment conducted for the gaming hall?
Yes. The BIA conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Chin’an Gaming Hall.
Did the public have an opportunity to weigh in on the gaming hall?
Yes. The EA was released in December 2024, followed by a public comment period. During this time, 84 responses were submitted by community members and organizations. The BIA carefully reviewed each response. The Tribe wants to work with all stakeholders to ensure the gaming hall is a beneficial project in every possible way.
What public safety measures will the Native Village of Eklutna implement for the gaming hall?
The Tribe has hired security personnel, and the Anchorage Police Department will provide police services to the site as necessary. The Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company provides fire protection and EMS services in the Chugiak and Birchwood area, including at the project site, and will serve the Chin’an Gaming Hall in the event of an emergency.
Is the Tribe paying taxes for emergency services?
The Native Village of Eklutna and the Municipality of Anchorage have entered into an interim intergovernmental agreement under which the Tribe will help offset the costs of public safety services to the parcel. This agreement will provide a steady, predictable funding stream for local first responders.
The parcel 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.
Why is the Tribe not paying property taxes on 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 will pay 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.
Environmental Protections
How will the Chin’an Gaming Hall’s operations impact the nearby salmon stream in Peters Creek, and what environmental protection is in place? What about glacial flooding and creek bed movement?
The BIA’s Environmental Assessment found that the Chin’an Gaming Hall construction and operations will not significantly impact the nearby salmon stream (Peters Creek). The project design includes a 50-foot setback from the creek to minimize environmental impact. The Native Village of Eklutna is committed to adhering to the highest environmental standards.
To handle significant flooding events (glacial or otherwise), the Chin’an Gaming Hall will include a stormwater system. The 50-foot setback also mitigates the risk of glacial flooding and creek bed movement.
What impacts will the permanent facility’s septic system have on Peters Creek?
The project’s plans include a sophisticated septic system designed to comply with all relevant environmental regulations, minimizing any risks of contamination to Peters Creek.
Is there sufficient water supply to support the gaming hall without depleting neighboring wells, and what studies have been conducted on the water table?
Yes. The Chin’an Gaming Hall is initially being served by water trucked in, and later the plan is for the facility to be served by a groundwater well. The gaming hall will have little to no impact on the water table as described in the EA. A water feasibility study was included in the EA.
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 will increase both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The Tribe is currently discussing road and access configuration improvements with the Department of Transportation—including crosswalks, increased signage, paved parking areas, and access roads—to enhance pedestrian safety.