How a Two-Car Garage Sparked Michigan’s Tribal Casino Revolution

On New Year’s Eve of 1983, Fred Dakota opened The Pines, Michigan’s first Native American casino, in a two-car garage on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation. Armed with determination and a $10,000 loan, Dakota created a makeshift gambling haven that would become a pivotal moment in the history of Native American gaming.

The Spark: From Bingo to Casinos

The journey began in the early 1980s when the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community sought ways to fund housing and other tribal needs. Elder Helene Walsh suggested adding casino gambling to the tribe’s bingo regulations, a move that went largely unnoticed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Thanks to a tribal constitution stipulation, the rules were approved by default, paving the way for future casino operations.

Fred Dakota, then the tribe’s administrator, championed high-stakes bingo despite resistance from state authorities. The success of bingo nights fueled the tribe’s financial growth, funding housing projects and community initiatives.

A Garage Turned Gaming Hub

After losing his tribal administrator role and facing economic hardship, Dakota revisited Walsh’s idea. Armed with a tribal gambling license and his brother-in-law’s garage in Zeba, Michigan, he set out to open a casino.

With limited resources, Dakota built blackjack tables, purchased used poker machines, and crafted a rudimentary yet functional casino space. Marketing his venture with flyers pinned on grocery store boards, Dakota opened The Pines on December 31, 1983.

Opening night saw 40 people squeezed into the garage, and Dakota’s fears of police interference proved unfounded. Word spread quickly, and The Pines flourished, prompting Dakota to expand operations to a larger building in Baraga.

Legal Battles and Industry Shifts

Despite The Pines’ success, legal challenges arose. The tribal council and federal courts ruled that Dakota’s operations violated Michigan’s gambling laws. The casino shut down after 18 months, but Dakota’s efforts set a precedent.

In the following years, Michigan tribes built on Dakota’s groundwork. The Bay Mills and Grand Traverse Band tribes opened casinos, eventually benefiting from the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which solidified tribal authority over gaming operations.

Legacy of The Pines

Fred Dakota’s bold gamble not only provided for his family but also catalyzed the Native American gaming industry. Today, tribal casinos generate billions annually, funding education, healthcare, and infrastructure for Native communities. While Dakota’s legal battles and personal controversies are part of his story, his impact on tribal gaming remains undeniable.

Learn more about the rich history of the Western Upper Peninsula.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.