Native American News

Winnebago Tribe Competes for Iowa Commercial Casino

Ho-Chunk Inc., the Winnebago Tribe’s economic development corporation, has submitted a bid to build a $122.3 million commercial casino and hotel in downtown Sioux City, Iowa.

Shakopee Loans $48 Million to Lower Sioux for Debt Consolidation, Casino Redevelopment

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), whose reservation is located just south of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, has a reputation for helping other tribes.

Casino development impacts our culture

It is obvious that the Mishewal Wappo, if recognized as a tribe with sovereign rights in the Napa Valley, intend to build a casino. The opening of a casino here would irreparably harm the integrity of our valley’s winemaking culture and economy. This culture and economy are integral to the livelihoods of local residents, and also to a range of incredibly good philanthropic works.

Pokagon Band distributes $1M in slot revenues from new casino

A second casino is proving to be a big benefit for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and the surrounding community. In just one year of operation, the Four Winds Hartford Casino generated $52 million in slot machine revenues. The tribe is sharing two percent of that amount, $1.04 million, with its neighbors.

Report shows Wisconsin tribal casinos took in $1.3B last year

MADISON, Wis. (AP) A new state report shows gambling generated about $1.3 billion annually for Wisconsin’s tribes between 2009 and 2011. The Legislative Audit Bureau study released Thursday shows total tribal gambling profits increased 4.3 percent over those three years, from $543.4 million in 2009 to $566.7 million in 2011.

Viejas Casino Shoots for Guinness Record for World’s Largest Blackjack Table

On September 13 in honor of its 21st anniversary, Viejas Casino—owned and operated by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in Alpine, California, just east of San Diego—will attempt to set a new Guinness Record for the world’s largest blackjack table.

Column: Weekend at United Auburn Indian Community casino

I slept with Smokey Robinson. Now that I have your attention, allow me to clarify: Actually, I slept NEAR Smokey Robinson. What a difference a preposition makes. During a recent weekend at the Thunder Valley Casino & Resort in Lincoln, California, Smokey and I had rooms on the same floor, at the same time. He was there to perform at the outdoor amphitheater as a featured artist in their very popular Summer Concert Series that has created thunderous business for the resort; I was there to relax and see an ABBA tribute concert with my daughters at a smaller venue inside the casino called Pano Hall. While I fantasized the whole weekend about running into Smokey in the elevator and staring into those startling green eyes, it never happened.

Internet gambling bill in California doomed amid tribal dissent

With just a few days left in California’s legislative session, the state’s powerful Indian tribes still cannot agree on what is best for tribal factions as a whole in the online poker debate, causing the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians to withdraw from the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA). Lack of unity among tribes is a key reason why the Golden State’s poker-only bill is languishing in the legislature as time runs out on this year’s session.

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe spends $7.5M on casino expansion

The 7 Cedars Casino will be bigger, better and more elegant when the Jamestown S’Klallam completes a 4,000-square-foot expansion this December, tribal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Allen told Port Angeles business leaders Monday.

Backer Secures Largest Financial Package Reported in Indian Gaming for Tribe’s Sonoma County Casino

What is said to be the largest financial package in the history of American Indian gaming has been secured for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s planned casino in Sonoma County, California.

Project reconnects Native youth with land

American Indian children are learning more about their cultural heritage through a project at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Winnebago Tribe benefits from zoning change allowing a casino

The City Council on Monday approved changing municipal code to allow a gaming facility in the downtown area. The agreement creates the zoning framework for creating the city’s first land-based casino.

Deadline approaching for off-reservation casinos in California

Gov. Jerry Brown must make a decision by the end of this month that could have wide-ranging implications for the future of tribal casinos in California. Brown has until Aug. 31 to decide whether to let two state Indian tribes to open casinos miles from their current tribal land. If he approves the two projects, critics say, it could open the floodgates to additional casinos in more populated parts of the state.