The Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino
The Gun Lake Tribe is based in Wayland Township, and Gun Lake Casino has become a major Allegan County employer and regional destination.
The northeastern corner of Allegan County is home to the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, better known as the Gun Lake Tribe. Its people settled near Gun Lake, in the Bradley area, back in the 1830s. After a long effort, the tribe won federal recognition in 1999. Today its government and community are based here in Wayland Township.
The tribe’s best-known business is the Gun Lake Casino. It opened in 2011 on tribal land just off US-131, between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. It has grown a lot since then, adding a hotel, restaurants, and entertainment. Today it’s one of the larger employers and economic engines in this part of the county.
The casino sits at 1123 129th Avenue in Wayland, off US-131 at Exit 61.