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LifeJuneau · June 11, 2026

juneau just got a casino

Juneau's first tribal casino opened on Douglas Island, and a federal legal dispute could decide whether it stays open.

Daily Alaska staff · June 11, 2026 · Juneau

The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska soft-opened the Two Coppers Casino on Douglas Island this week, marking Juneau's first casino and one of only a few tribal casinos operating anywhere in Alaska. The casino sits on Fish Creek Road near Eaglecrest Ski Area.

A hundred electric slot-style machines fill the floor. The casino offers Class II gaming, which includes pull tabs, bingo, and slot-style machines. There is no blackjack, no poker, and no alcohol service.

The opening is still a soft launch. The parking lot remains dirt, running water isn't fully connected, and construction is ongoing. The tribe is targeting July 1 for the official grand opening.

The casino sits on a Native allotment, land owned by individual tribal citizens who lease it to the tribe. The federal government withdrew a legal opinion last fall that had supported this type of operation, creating uncertainty over its legal standing. The tribe says its attorneys reviewed the matter and maintain the casino is operating legally.

Revenue from the casino goes back into tribal programs, elder services, and community support. The tribe's president has talked about adding a small hotel and spa on the property over time.

Alaska has been one of the few states where tribal gaming barely existed. Whether this casino holds up legally could change that picture for other tribal communities across the state.

In this story

Evidence

Sources

Claims and where they come from

  • The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska soft-opened the Two Coppers Casino on Douglas Island on June 3, 2026. · alaskapublic.org
  • The casino has 100 electric slot-style machines and offers Class II gaming, including pull tabs, bingo and slot-style machines. · alaskapublic.org
  • The U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew a legal opinion in September 2025 that had supported tribal jurisdiction over Native allotments. · alaskapublic.org
  • The tribe is targeting July 1 for the official grand opening of the casino. · alaskapublic.org

Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →

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