Published on: June 22, 2026, 06:54h.

Updated on: June 22, 2026, 06:54h.

• Newly appointed secretary-treasurer Jacob McArthur suggests a pause on the Moorhead casino initiative until essential financial and community-related queries are clarified.
• The planned development aims to feature a casino, hotel, RV park, and entertainment hub, expected to generate 700 job opportunities.
• McArthur expresses concerns that the new establishment might detract business from White Earth’s present casinos in Mahnomen and Bagley.

A proposal by the White Earth Nation to construct a $177 million casino and entertainment center near Moorhead, MN, adjacent to the North Dakota border, has encountered political hurdles following a tribal election that has cast uncertainty on the project’s viability.

Jacob McArthur, who won the secretary-treasurer election against incumbent Michael LaRoque on June 9, shared with The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead his opposition to advancing the casino initiative.

This is not a permanent dismissal; McArthur insists that enough information hasn’t been provided to members to determine if this is beneficial for the tribe’s future.

“At this moment, I recommend halting this initiative. I won’t engage in any financial commitments on behalf of the tribe to advance this project until we can address some vital questions,” he conveyed to The Forum.

As the second-highest elected official in the tribe, trailing only Chairman Michael Fairbanks, who supports the plan and was not up for reelection, McArthur’s stance is significant.

Economic Perspective

The White Earth Nation is considering the establishment of a casino and entertainment venue on land located east of Moorhead, having purchased a plot in Clay County for approximately $3.9 million in late 2024.

An economic and social impact study suggested a casino with 950 slot machines and 10 table games, a 200-room hotel with meeting and ballroom facilities, dining options, a gift shop, ample parking for over 1,000 vehicles, and a 50-pad RV park.

The report estimated construction expenses at $176.8 million and predicted the creation of around 391 full-time construction jobs. Upon opening, around 600 full-time and 100 part-time jobs are anticipated to be available.

The analysis also projected over 1.1 million annual visitors, contributing an estimated $174 million to Clay County’s economy each year.

However, McArthur fears that attracting the Fargo-Moorhead clientele could divert revenue from White Earth’s current casino operations. The tribe runs the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, situated on its reservation, alongside a smaller facility in Bagley.

During his campaign, McArthur noted that tribal members frequently raised similar concerns. Though the revenue forecasts were optimistic, he expressed a need to understand whether the potential boost in Moorhead would diminish jobs or activities at Mahnomen and Bagley.

He also questioned whether the anticipated 700 permanent positions would provide substantial benefits to White Earth members.

“While 700 jobs sound impressive, they are meaningless if the majority do not end up benefiting my community,” he stated to The Forum.

Not Set in Stone

Since the Moorhead site is not located on reservation land, White Earth must secure federal trust status for the property before casino operations can commence there.

This proposal has also faced resistance from certain local residents and officials, who have expressed concerns regarding public services, infrastructure, and the need for transparency.

McArthur emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns, asserting the tribe’s responsibility to act as a good neighbor.