Chin'an Gaming Hall | Now Open

Federally-approved casino
Temp casino opened Feb. 3, 2025
Permanent replacement coming 2026

Nation | Tribe: Native Village of Eklutna

CHIN'AN GAMING HALL

20813 Birchwood Spur Rd
Chugiak, AK 99567

Chin'an means "Thank You".

The Native Village of Eklutna operates a small, temporary gambling facility, named Chin'an Gaming Hall, on a site near the Birchwood Airport. The Eklutna plan to replace it with a larger, permanent casino in 2026. The gaming property is 20 miles northeast of Anchorage.

Casino • Sports • Live Dealer • Poker
#1 Choice of U.S. Players!
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!
$3,750 Crypto Welcome Bonus!  BOVADA CASINO

Future Chin'an Gaming Hall (2026)

Chin'an Gaming Hall

The Eklutna Tribe is the first in Alaska to open a casino under terms of the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). In Nov. 2023 the U.S. Department of Interior approved the transfer of 10.5 acres of off-reservation land to be transferred into federal trust for the Native Village of Eklutna. The action gave tribal sovereignty to the land for building a Class-II casino and removed all jurisdiction rights from the state of local governments.

The Eklutna Tribe opened the Chin'an Gaming Hall on February 3, 2025. This is a temporary gaming facility consisting of five modular units attached together as one structure and built on a wooden block foundation with a gravel pad.

The temporary facility has 135 slot machines and will continue to operate while the permanent facility is under construction. The permanent casino will have 700 slot machines and is expected to open in 2026.

History

Prior to 2023, Alaska gaming was solely regulated by the Alaska Gaming Commission. That changed in November 2023 when a legal decision ruled that the same federal law regulating tribal gaming in all other states must also apply in Alaska.

That law is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IRGA), and it allows the federal government to take land into trust for Alaska Natives with gaming facilities and regulate the gaming operation through the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), which is inside the U.S. Department of Interior.

The Eklutna Tribe opened the Chin'an Gaming Hall on Feb. 3, 2025. Some local residents were upset and filed a lawsuit to shut it down. However, the U.S. District Court in Alaska rejected the case in July 2025 and reconfirmed the federal legality of the gaming facility.

Construction work continues on temporary casino (Jan. 19, 2025)

News Headlines

Chin'an Gaming Hall Wins in Federal Court! July 7, 2025 - The Native Village of Eklutna won a major victory this week when the U.S. District Court in Alaska rejected a lawsuit from a local opposition, and ruled the Eklutna tribe is "federally recognized" ... Read more

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Features | Chin'an Gaming Hall

Details of the type of casino games, their quantities, and amenities, such as restaurants, have not be disclosed at this time for both the temporary and the permanent Chin'an Gaming Hall.

Gaming

Restaurants

500 Nations - FREE CASINO GAMES
No Signup - No Deposit - No Download

Location | Driving Directions

The Chin'an Gaming Hall is 20 miles northeast of Anchorage near Birchwood Airport.

Driving Directions

1. Take AK-1 N/Glenn Hwy about 20 miles northeast from Anchorage, and turn off at the Birchwood exit.

2. Turn left onto Birchwood Loop Road.

3. Turn right onto Birchwood Spur Road.

4. Follow the signs to Chin'an Gaming Hall.

News Articles

Chin'an Gaming Hall Wins in Federal Court!

July 7, 2025

The Native Village of Eklutna won a major victory this week when the U.S. District Court in Alaska rejected a lawsuit from a local opposition, and ruled the Eklutna tribe is "federally recognized" and is, thereby, eligible to operate casino gaming under terms of the U.S. Indian Gaming Act (IGRA).

The IGRA gives "sovereign immunity" to tribes to operate some types of gaming without approvals from state or local governments.

The federal court judge wrote:

"In sum, the tribe is federally recognized, meaning that it is entitled to tribal sovereign immunity."

- Judge James L. Robart

Judge Robart found the Eklutna tribal government had been listed as a federally-recognized tribe in 1993 by the U.S. Department of Interior.

The federal Indian Gaming Act authorizes-federally-recognized tribes to operate Class II gambling without approval of state and local governments. Class II gaming uses "bingo-type" slot machines. Players use these electronic gaming machines to win jackpots against other players. Class III gaming is not allowed, which is house-banked gambling.

"This ruling is a significant step forward, affirming what we have always known - that our tribal rights and identity are firmly rooted in this land.

"We are proud of the continued growth and success of the Chin'an Gaming Hall, which stands as a reflection of the Native Village of Eklutna's resilience and vision."

- Aaron Leggett, Tribal President

Opportunities for the Next Generation - Courtesy of Chin'an Gaming Hall, Jun 23, 2025. Available from YouTube

Back    Full Page > Chin'an Gaming Hall

#1 Casino Choice of U.S. Players
Blackjack • Slots • Table Games • Live Dealer • Video Poker
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!
$3,750 Crypto Welcome Bonus!  BOVADA CASINO