The Native Village of Eklutna has temporarily suspended construction of its planned permanent casino, Chin’an Gaming Hall, as tribal leaders evaluate the impact of a recent federal legal reversal that could affect their authority over the land designated for the project.
Despite this delay, the tribe continues to operate a temporary gaming facility, which opened earlier this year in a series of modular units near Birchwood Airport.
Chin’an Gaming Hall Details
The proposed Chin’an Gaming Hall is envisioned as a 58,000-square-foot entertainment complex featuring hundreds of electronic gaming machines similar to slots and other online casino games, along with multiple restaurants. Located on a six-acre parcel leased to the tribe off Birchwood Spur Road, the facility would be the first permanent casino in the Anchorage area.
However, the casino has faced resistance from some residents, who argue that it could disrupt the quiet character of the Birchwood neighborhood and negatively affect property values. Legal challenges have been filed in an effort to halt the development.
Development On Hold
The tribe had initially hoped to begin construction soon and open the facility by next year. However, a September 25 decision by the Trump administration to rescind a 2024 U.S. Interior Department memo, which had expanded tribal jurisdiction over Alaska Native allotments, has introduced uncertainty.
Tribal officials are now seeking clarification from federal authorities about how this change affects their rights to develop the land.
Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna, stated that while site clearing has already begun, further progress hinges on understanding the implications of the federal ruling. “We’ve already begun clearing the site with our hopes of starting construction on the permanent facility soon, if we can get clarity on what this new federal ruling means,” he said.
Other Alaska Casinos
As of 2025, Alaska has approximately 10 casinos, most of which are small-scale, tribal, or charitable gaming venues. All tribal-owned casinos are restricted from offering their services online; however, online casinos are available from out-of-state services.
Online AK casinos operate legally from their state or country of origin and have been accepting players from the USA since the late 1990s. Many of the sites we recommend are intended for players over the age of 18; however, users are urged to follow local gambling age restrictions.
The Native Village of Eklutna is currently operating a temporary casino near Anchorage, but with development plans on hold, the facility’s future is uncertain. The state currently has a population of nearly 750k; however, most of the wagering action is still placed online due to a lack of specific online gambling laws.