From Trump’s passionate rallies in Nevada about exempting tips from tax to the Republican nominee for the US Presidency receiving ample donations from Las Vegas Sands’ owner, Meriam, and her late husband Sheldon Adelson, gambling companies have not been indifferent to arguably the most important election race in the free world.

Tribal Leaders See a Presidential Pair They Like

Now, though, the Kamala Harris–Tim Walz Democratic ticket brings with it an unexpected potential for appealing to industry types, and specifically tribal gaming establishments, which are one of the most powerful lobbies in the country.

Both Harris and Walz have worked with tribal gaming operators and have both come to interact with the sector. Apparently, the interactions have been favorable enough to elicit an endorsement from Indian gaming bosses.

Indian Gaming Association (IGA) chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. and tribal lobbyist Holly Cook Macarro have spoken favorably of the democratic ticket.

They are hardly alone, as IGA executive director Jason Giles and conference chairman Victor Rocha all used the opportunity in a recent webcast to discuss the potential benefits that Indian gaming in the United States could hope to secure through the election of the Democratic presumptive nominees.

Harris and Walz have not been yet confirmed as the Democratic nominees, as this will happen later in Chicago this month. Another upset following the withdrawal of President Joe Biden from the race is unthinkable, so they are definitely the candidates that the Trump campaign will run against.

Tribal experts now believe that the potential election into the White House of Harris and Walz will give them if not an advantage, then at least an administration that is not tone-deaf to the issues that the sector faces.

Walz is praised in tribal circles for his decision to back tribal exclusivity over sports betting in Minnesota, although this is not necessarily the best commercial market blueprint. Walz, though, has continuously sided with the tribes, including allowing tribal members to be appointed to the Minnesota Racing Commission to settle an ongoing dispute about historical horse racing.

Walz is seemingly very close with tribal communities, as he is expected to pass the gubernatorial baton to Peggy Flanagan, who is a citizen of White Earth Nation, and who may succeed Walz in the post if he is elected. She will be the first Native American woman to hold a governor position in US history.

No Currying Favor, But Still a Strong Rapport

The Biden administration has also been kind to Native Americans, with more than 70 appointments across his administration, including Deb Haaland as US Secretary of the Interior. Of course, none of this is to suggest that tribal gaming would gain anything from Harris and Walz winning the ticket.

If anything, the pair is not going to openly engage with micro-managing issues that pertain to tribal gaming, but having established a strong rapport with tribal leaders has won Harris and Walz their sympathies. Tribal gaming companies have been embroiled in fights of their own from California to Utah to Florida.

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The efforts to get gaming legalized in Texas continued as Las Vegas Sands representatives met with North Texas leaders. The casino and hospitality powerhouse hopes to secure enough support to get resort-style casinos legalized in the state finally.

While experts predict that gambling could create as many as 70,000 new permanent jobs and over twice as many construction jobs, some lawmakers are still reluctant to back casino resorts.

Texas Is a Huge Untapped Market

Texas has cemented itself as one of the more conservative states when it comes to gambling. Previous efforts to legalize various verticals have fallen through without leading to any significant change.

However, Las Vegas Sands remains bullish on the Lone Star State. As reported by Dallas Morning News, LVS lobbyists met with leaders from North Texas to discuss the matter. Assembled by the North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of Business, the meeting sought to evaluate the potential impact casino gaming could have on Texas.

The commission seeks to create an exploratory committee that would focus on how casinos would affect North Texas in particular. The committee is set to be formed this autumn. Patrick Brophey, chief operating officer of the North Texas Commission, told a Dallas Business Journal representative that the goal would be to truly understand how gaming would impact social services, public safety, charities, the entertainment sector, business and the North Texan communities as a whole.

Chad West, a member of the Dallas City Council, said that Texas still has a lot to understand when it comes to destination gambling.

LVS Has Been Trying to Make Texas Casinos a Reality for a While

The efforts to legalize casino gaming in Texas align with Las Vegas Sands’ long-term efforts. The casino giant has spent millions to get casino gaming greenlit and tap into the second most-populated state in the US.

LVS has already secured a 108-acre site across from the site of the Dallas Cowboys’ former stadium, and it is awaiting the time casino resorts are permitted in the state.

According to LVS lobbyist Andy Abboud, the company is interested in opening at least five resorts in Texas, two of which would be located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He added that the operator would focus on key areas instead of trying to be on every corner.

In 2023, an Axios report suggested that LVS has some 72 lobbyists in Texas, singlehandedly outnumbering other organizations. The company has spent approximately $100 million on lobbying in Texas, according to reports.

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Mississippi’s Tidelands bill has raised concerns about the future of coastal casinos. The bill received unanimous approval from the Senate and has 30 days before a final vote is held.

Senate Bill 2780 passed the Senate on Thursday after receiving two amendments. The first amendment allows cities to control properties on ports and harbors as long as there is not a “gaming component” to them. This means that the state cannot restrict the public use of a coastal property, as long as it is for public purpose.

However, the amendment maintains the points that provide the Secretary of State with control over coastline casinos. Under the new bill, developers must secure a lease from the state, instead of from the local government. Additionally, new casinos cannot be located on or adjacent to sand beaches but still have to be located within 800 feet of the shore. Finally, the casino developer must control all property.

Overall, the bill has the potential to hinder the creation of new casinos, some believe. Critics furthermore claimed that coastal leaders were not consulted about the Tidelands bill, depriving them of their input.

The bill highlighted a discrepancy between the state government and the local governments.

Mississippi’s Government Doesn’t Want to Repeat the Recent Biloxi Hassle

David Blount, chair of the Senate Gaming Committee, ushered in the first amendment to Senate Bill 2780. He explained that the government is not interested in micromanaging local harbors and instead wants to create a “consistent environment” for the casino industry.

His comment echoed the recent approval of RW Development’s casino in Biloxi which was greenlit by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The project was initiated by a partnership between the developer and the city of Biloxi and Harrison County to rebuild Veterans Avenue Pier. The Secretary of State blocked the initiative – a decision that was later disputed in the Supreme Court. As a result, RW Development was later able to secure approval for adding a casino to the pier.

Mike Thompson, chairman of the Senate Ports & Marine Resources Committee, explained that the Tidelands bill seeks to make sure that nothing precludes government authorities from having exclusive control over their ports and harbors. He acknowledged that the bill has generated concerns among coastal leaders and added a reverse repealer amendment that ensures the bill will have more time for adjustments to be made.

In the meantime, the House version of this measure, HB 1659, passed the House by a landslide after 113 representatives voted in favor of the bill against 6 who opposed it.

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Tribal gaming leaders in Oklahoma, alongside their national counterparts, have called upon Gov. Kevin Stitt to support tribal-led sports betting initiatives. 

Tribal Chiefs Express Concerns Over Las Vegas Sands’ Dallas Mavericks Deal

The call for action was made during a recent webcast titled “The New Normal,” hosted by Victor Rocha, conference chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, and Jason Giles, executive director of the Indian Gaming Association. 

Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, was interviewed during the webcast, where concerns were raised regarding the recent acquisition of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team by Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and the subsequent move by the Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Adelson’s family, known for controlling the Las Vegas Sands Corp., has committed to purchasing the majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks for a reported $3.5 billion. This move has sparked apprehension within tribal circles as the Adelsons have been actively lobbying to legalize gambling in Texas. Mark Cuban, the current owner of the Mavericks, envisions a new arena with an integrated casino in an entertainment district. 

According to the terms of the deal with Adelson, Mark Cuban, who took ownership of the Mavericks in 2000, will retain a stake in ownership and continue to oversee basketball operations.

Oklahoma Tribal Chiefs Skeptical of Stitt’s Sports Betting Tax Rates

Gov. Stitt, a member of the Cherokee Nation, recently proposed a sports betting plan for Oklahoma. However, tribal leaders assert that the proposal, which includes a 15% tax rate on retail sports betting at tribal casinos and a 20% tax on mobile licenses with a $500,000 license fee, caught them off guard and lacks feasibility. Despite Stitt’s efforts to diversify the state’s revenue streams, stakeholders remain skeptical.

Jason Giles pointed out the inexplicable tax rates proposed by Stitt, emphasizing the robustness of the Oklahoma gambling industry and its potential for growth. Giles argued for a more forward-thinking approach, urging the state to move beyond dependence on the fluctuating oil market and consider economic diversification.

Highlighting the regional competition from neighboring states like Kansas and Arkansas, as well as potential future entrants like Missouri and Texas, Giles stressed the need for strategic planning. 

Morgan echoed these sentiments, underlining the importance of Oklahoma becoming a pioneer in sports betting before other states capitalize on the opportunity. In response to the economic concerns raised by Giles, Morgan expressed optimism about the resilience of Oklahoma’s gaming industry. He emphasized ongoing investments by tribal nations in casino properties, citing recent openings and renovations across the state.

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