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Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022

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

Todd Butterworth, The Nevada Independent
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.

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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