A tribal casino near Eaglecrest Ski Area that’s been discussed for many years is open, but its operator is taking something of a gamble by hoping it can prevail if the state challenges the legality of the establishment.
A “soft opening” of the Two Coppers Casino began this week, with the facility featuring 100 slot-style electronic machines (one of which wasn’t functioning), said Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, in an interview shortly after the casino opened at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Construction is still ongoing and some amenities such as running water are lacking, so the target official grand opening date is July 1.
