White Earth Nation Advances $177M Casino Plan Near Moorhead
MOORHEAD, Minn. - White Earth Nation has released an impact study for a proposed casino and hotel complex near Moorhead.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The project could bring a major tribal gaming development to western Minnesota, but it still needs federal approval before construction can move ahead.
The proposed site covers nearly 300 acres near Interstate 94 and Highway 336, on land purchased by the tribe in late 2024. Public records cited in local reports place the purchase at just under $4 million.
The development would include 950 gaming machines, 10 table games, multiple dining options, bars, retail space and a gift shop. Plans also call for a 200-room hotel, ballroom, meeting facilities, parking infrastructure and a 50-pad RV park.
Study Projects Major Jobs and Visitor Growth
The economic and social impact study estimates the project would cost around $177 million to build. Once operational, the casino complex could employ about 600 full-time workers and more than 100 part-time staff.
The report also projects more than 1.1 million visitors a year, with many expected to come from outside Clay County. Supporters argue that it could increase spending not only at the casino, but also at nearby hotels, restaurants, retailers and service businesses.
The study estimates the project could generate more than $175 million in economic impact for Clay County and close to $245 million across Minnesota. It also projects more than $25 million in annual tax revenue across federal, state and county levels.
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Public Costs and Environmental Questions Remain
The report also notes that the project would create additional public-service costs. Those include an estimated $1.4 million in increased demand for law enforcement, emergency response and related services.
Environmental concerns are also expected to be part of future discussions, particularly around the protection of a regional aquifer that supplies water to nearby communities. Tribal leadership has said water-resource protection will remain a priority as planning continues.
The study concludes that the casino would create significant economic development benefits while producing limited negative effects on housing, schools and social services.
Federal Approval Still Needed
The casino is not yet guaranteed. White Earth Nation still needs federal approval to place the land into trust status, a required step for the project to move forward as a tribal gaming development.
The tribe would also need to complete a gaming agreement with the state before construction begins. Until those approvals are secured, the timeline for building and opening the Moorhead casino remains uncertain.
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