The Casino Proposal at Hand
What is Proposed?
In early 2025 the White Earth Nation purchased 280 acres of land on the East end of Moorhead for the primary purpose of investing in a new Resort/ Casino that will serve the Fargo/ Moorhead market. The development is expected to cost between $186-$210 million, with the potential for additional development.
The primary development includes a casino with 950 gaming machines, and 10 table games: a 15,000 sq. ft. divisible main ballroom; 5,500 sq. ft. divisible junior ballroom and 3,500 sq. ft. of ancillary meeting space in various sizes, and 3,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. A 125-seat food court with three to five outlets; a 125-seat family restaurant serving all meal periods; a 45-seat ethnic restaurant; a 50-seat steakhouse serving dinner four nights per week; a 60-seat center bar in the casino, two other bar areas in the casino and a 12-seat bar connected to the steakhouse; a lobby bar and lounge serving coffee and pastries in the morning, pre-made sandwiches at mid-day and drinks and light appetizers at night with seating for 25; a grab-and-go deli with cold sandwiches and salads and ice cream treats with seating for 10.
Additionally, the project will support a three-plus diamond hotel with 200 keys and a 50-pad RV park. Parking for at least 1,000 automobiles and 20 trucks or RV’s separate from the RV park but with no hookups, and at least 500 spaces for structured covered parking.*
*Anishinaabeg Today, Wednesday, November 5, 2025
This land is not on the White Earth Reservation; how can they build a casino here?
Federal law allows for Indian gaming on land within the boundaries of the Reservation. In this case the land that the White Earth Nation has purchased is not on the reservation, and the Tribe is “seeking to have the land taken into trust.” If this request is granted, the tribe’s beneficial interest is maintained, and the tribe gains certain sovereign jurisdiction and regulatory advantages. The land must be taken into trust for the Tribe to build a casino near Moorhead. The decision to take the land into trust is made by the Department of Interior.