Moorhead Casino Plan Advances as White Earth Nation Pushes Toward Federal Review
MOORHEAD, Minn. May 15, 2026 - The White Earth Nation's plan for a large-scale casino and hotel complex on Moorhead's southeast edge is gaining momentum as the tribe completes key studies and prepares for the federal trust-land review that will determine whether the project can move forward.
The tribe's proposal - a $176-$177 million development on roughly 288 acres near Interstate 94 and Highway 336 - includes 950 slot machines, 10 table games, a 200-room hotel, a ballroom and event center, multiple restaurants, bars, retail space, and a 50-pad RV park. The site was purchased in late 2024 for just under $4 million.
A newly released economic and social impact study projects the casino could draw more than 1.1 million visitors annually, generating over $25 million in yearly tax revenue across federal, state, and county levels. The project is expected to support nearly 400 construction jobs and create about 700 permanent positions once operational.
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!Tribal officials say the findings show "strong regional benefits" with minimal long-term strain on housing, schools, or social services. The study also notes that the casino would become one of the largest new tribal gaming developments in Minnesota in more than a decade.
Before construction can begin, the White Earth Nation must secure federal approval to place the land into trust, a process overseen by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The tribe will also need to negotiate a state gaming compact with Minnesota and complete environmental reviews, including analysis of a nearby aquifer that supplies drinking water to surrounding communities.
Local officials say they expect months of public comment and regulatory review ahead, but the release of the impact study marks the project's most significant step forward since the land purchase.
