Indianz.Com > Indian Gaming

April 15, 2011

Lawmaker in Georgia withdraws bill affecting casino deals

A Georgia lawmaker has withdrawn a bill that would have required legislative approval of Class III gaming compacts. Sen. William Ligon (R) said he is concerned about tribes trying to buy land in the state. His bill would have required...

April 13, 2011

Bill requires Georgia lawmakers to approve casino compacts

A bill making its way through the Georgia General Assembly would allow lawmakers to reject Class III gaming compacts negotiated by the state governor. The bill requires a two-thirds vote of the House and the Senate to ratify a compact....

April 12, 2011

Judge dismisses lawsuit on Pechanga Band casino agreement

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in California. The city of Temecula sued to enforce a gaming agreement with the tribe. But Judge Dale S. Fischer said the Class III compact doesn't...

April 6, 2011

Plans to expand non-Indian gaming in Florida not dead after all

The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee passed a bill to authorize up to five casinos on Tuesday. Just a couple of weeks ago, a similar bill was declared dead amid opposition from the Seminole Tribe and non-Indian race tracks...

April 5, 2011

Column: Spokane Tribe gaming compact not a model agreement

"Now comes another myth – that in exchange for campaign donations, Gov. Chris Gregoire rejected a tribal gambling compact requiring the Spokane Tribe of Indians share its profits with state and local government. Like all good myths, this one has...

April 1, 2011

Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake expects approval of compact

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake of California expects the Bureau of Indian Affairs will approve its new Class III gaming compact. The tribe started work on the $28 million Running Creek Casino after signing a compact in 2010....

March 30, 2011

Bill to expand non-Indian gaming in Florida considered dead

A bill to expand non-Indian gaming in Florida is being declared dead. State Sen. Dennis Jones (R) wanted to authorize up to five casino resorts. But the measure came under opposition from the Seminole Tribe and non-Indian race tracks that...

March 29, 2011

Tribal revenues fund problem gambling program in California

Tribal casinos are funding the state of California's $4 million problem gambling program. Tribes that signed compacts in 1999 contribute a portion of their revenues to the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund. Some of the money is used for the...

March 24, 2011

Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake negotiates new gaming deal

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake negotiated a new Class III gaming compact with California Gov. Jerry Brown (D). The deal replaces one the tribe signed during the Schwarzenegger administration. The Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected it due to revenue-sharing...

March 17, 2011

Blog: Washington group pushes slot machines for tough times

"Voters thrashed a Tim Eyman-led initiative that would have expanded gambling in restaurants, bars and other venues. That was 2004. This is now. With a big budget chasm threatening to yawn wider with tomorrow’s revenue forecast, The Recreational Gaming Association...

California doesn't want to be a party in Pechanga gaming case

The state of California says it shouldn't be a party in a gaming lawsuit against the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. The state says the Class III gaming compact requires the state and the tribe to meet in person before...

March 16, 2011

KUOW: Non-Indian card clubs in Washington eye slot machines

"At the Iron Horse mini-casino in Auburn, Washington the motto is: "Let us help you take a break from your worries." The place has 15 card tables, Vegas-style dealers and real poker chips. Customers can play Blackjack, Spanish 21, even...

County seeks $1.38M from Saginaw Chippewa Tribe casino fund

Communities in Isabella County, Michigan, are seeking $1.38 million in gaming revenues from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. The big projects on the county's wish list include $523,558 for elder programs and services, $140,000 for drug prosecution, and $116,600 for drain...

Loss of Seneca Nation casino revenue felt in local communities

Local communities are laying off employees and cutting budgets due to an ongoing gaming dispute between the Seneca Nation and the state of New York. The tribe has withheld $228 million from the state, citing an expansion of non-Indian gaming....

March 15, 2011

Board looks at use of Nottawaseppi Huron Band gaming revenue

Local communities will be getting their share of gaming revenues from the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan. The tribe contributed $4.86 million in revenues from the FireKeepers Casino. The FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board is now considering...

March 14, 2011

Seneca Nation scales back casino expansion plan in Niagara Falls

The Seneca Nation has spent $530 million on its casino in Niagara Falls, New York, but expansion plans have been put on hold in recent years. The tribe acquired 48 acres for the casino through a land claim settlement. But...

Judge sets hearing in case for Pechanga Band gaming agreement

A federal judge will hold a hearing on April 11 in a gaming dispute between the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and the city of Temecula, California. The tribe agreed to pay the city about $2 million a year and...

March 9, 2011

Kevin Leecy: Non-Indian racino will take jobs from tribal facilities

"Backers of the project touted the jobs they said the racino would create. What they failed to point out was that these hypothetical jobs would come at the expense of hundreds of existing ones. That’s because the racino wouldn’t create...

Oklahoma tribes make state the fourth largest in gaming market

Oklahoma is the fourth biggest state in the overall U.S. gaming market, according to the new Indian Gaming Industry Report. Since gaining voter approval for Class III gaming in 2004, tribes have seen phenomenal growth. In 2009, they took in...

March 8, 2011

Hannahville Indian Community continues to share casino funds

The Hannahville Indian Community of Michigan shares 2 percent of slot machine revenues with the local community twice a year. Revenue sharing was included in the Class III gaming compact. When the state allowed non-Indian gaming in Detroit, the tribe...

Editorial: It's time to renegotiate casino compacts in Minnesota

"John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, visited with the board and offered reasons why MIGA, which represents 9 of 11 Minnesota tribes, doesn’t think a racino is a good idea. Revenue at tribal casinos will be...

March 7, 2011

South Dakota tribes buck trend and see growth at their casinos

Indian gaming revenues fell for the first time nationwide in 1998 but tribes in South Dakota saw growth at their facilities, according to the new Indian Gaming Industry Report. Tribes in South Dakota operate 11 facilities. They took in $103...

March 4, 2011

Despite rejection, Sen. Schumer wants an off-reservation casino

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) still an off-reservation casino in the Catskills even after the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected a deal for the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians. Schumer supported the Stockbridge Munsee project. “The Catskills deserve a...

March 2, 2011

BIA rejects Class III gaming compact for Pinoleville Pomo Nation

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has rejected a Class III gaming compact submitted by the Pinoleville Pomo Nation of California. The compact authorized up to 900 slot machines for the tribe. In exchange, the tribe agreed to share 15 percent...

March 1, 2011

BIA approves compact for Warm Springs off-reservation casino

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has deemed approved a compact for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. The compact authorizes an off-reservation casino for the tribe. It only becomes effective if the gaming site is taken...

February 22, 2011

BIA rejects deal for Stockbridge-Munsee off-reservation casino

As expected, the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected a compact to authorize an off-reservation casino for the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin. The tribe signed the compact with former New York governor David Paterson (D). The deal...

Nottawaseppi Huron Band shares $9.7M in revenues with state

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians shared $9.7 million in gaming revenues with the state of Michigan. The Class III gaming compact requires the tribe to share 4 percent of slot machine revenue with the state. That's in addition...

February 17, 2011

BIA to reject Stockbridge-Munsee off-reservation casino deal

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will reject an off-reservation casino for the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin, The Middletown Times Herald Record reports. The paper said the BIA informed the tribe earlier this week that it will...

February 16, 2011

Audit looks into distribution of tribal gaming funds in California

The California State Auditor says some local governments aren't distributing tribal gaming revenues properly. Tribes that signed compacts in 1999 pay a share of revenues into the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund. The money then goes to local governments to...

February 15, 2011

Nottawaseppi Huron Band shares $4.86M in gaming revenues

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians shared $4.86 million in gaming revenues with local governments in Michigan. The payment covers a full year of operations at the FireKeepers Casino. The check was larger than expected. "The casino's received a...