Little Shell Event Center & Resort
Great Falls, Montana | Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians
The Little Shell Event Center & Resort is a proposed tribal casino and entertainment development near Great Falls, Montana. Plans include a 500-machine gaming facility, 200-room hotel, indoor waterpark, entertainment arena, event space, bowling and dining. The Little Shell Tribe is seeking federal approval to place the project site into trust, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs is conducting environmental review.
Project Status
Status: Proposed, federal review underway
Tribe: Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Gaming: Proposed 500-machine gaming facility
Hotel: 200 rooms
Federal Process: Fee-to-trust application and environmental review
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!Little Shell Event Center & Resort Overview
The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana plans to develop the Little Shell Event Center & Resort on property near the northwestern boundary of Great Falls. The project would combine tribal gaming with a hotel, waterpark, entertainment arena, event facilities, restaurants and family entertainment.
The development is especially significant because the Little Shell Tribe regained federal recognition on December 20, 2019. The tribe has described the resort as an economic-development project intended to support tribal self-sufficiency and services for its citizens.
The project cannot move forward as proposed without federal approvals. The tribe submitted a fee-to-trust application covering approximately 136 acres, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs initiated the environmental review process in January 2026.
Proposed Casino and Resort
Plans for the Little Shell Event Center & Resort include:
- 500-machine gaming facility
- 200-room hotel
- 30,000-square-foot indoor waterpark
- 10,000-square-foot multipurpose event space
- 8-lane bowling alley and arcade
- 9,700-person-capacity entertainment and sports arena
- Multiple food and beverage venues
The proposed development would occupy three parcels near the northwestern boundary of Great Falls.
Federal Land-Into-Trust Process
The Little Shell Tribe has applied to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to transfer approximately 136 acres into federal trust for the resort. The BIA is preparing an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The City of Great Falls was invited to participate in the environmental review as a cooperating agency. The BIA said it anticipated coordinating with the city on issues that include municipal services, public safety and traffic.
The federal process could ultimately include a two-part Secretarial determination. If the BIA issues a favorable two-part determination, the determination would be sent to the Montana governor for concurrence.
Project Timeline
December 20, 2019: Federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe was restored by an act of Congress.
December 19, 2024: The tribe publicly announced plans for the Little Shell Event Center & Resort.
January 2026: The Bureau of Indian Affairs initiated environmental review of the fee-to-trust proposal.
February 2026: Public scoping was underway for the Environmental Assessment.
March 2026: BIA extended cooperating-agency status to the City of Great Falls subject to conditions outlined by the agency.
Current Status: Federal environmental and fee-to-trust review continues.
What Happens Next?
The next significant federal milestone is progress on the Environmental Assessment. The BIA
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