Native Village of Eklutna rushes to open Alaska casino near Anchorage before Trump takes office

Saturday, January 18, 2025 12:19 PM
  • Jeff Landfield, The Alaska Landmine

Trucks, excavators, heavy equipment, lumber, trailers, lights, construction workers, and security guards currently occupy a site about a mile west of the North Birchwood exit off the Glenn Highway. The Native Village of Eklutna seems to be scrambling to open their proposed casino before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Monday.

The Native Village of Eklutna has partnered with Las Vegas-based Marnell Gaming, a major casino contractor whose portfolio includes the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace, to build and run the casino. Neither has said how much money Marnell has invested in the project. What appear to be dozens of slot machines wrapped in cardboard are already onsite.