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Do Native American tribes receive the proceeds of some Las Vegas casinos?

By Todd Butterworth
YES

In some U.S. states, casinos are located on Native American tribal land and owned by local tribes. In Las Vegas, the land is not tribal but certain tribes own or operate casinos and are paid profits from those casinos.

In March 2021, the Mohegan tribe became the first tribe to receive Las Vegas casino proceeds when it acquired the casino operations at the Virgin Hotels. California’s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians became the first tribe to be paid by a Las Vegas hotel-casino when it purchased the Palms Casino Resort in December 2021. And Seminole Gaming, owned by Florida’s Seminole Indian Tribe, will be the first tribe operating on the Las Vegas Strip after acquiring The Mirage this month.

According to Jim Allen, a veteran of the gaming industry, tribal operators account for approximately 50% of U.S. gaming revenue.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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