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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Former US President Donald Trump has emerged as the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination following the withdrawal of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from the race. 

DeSantis’ Withdrawal Reshapes GOP Landscape, Boosting Trump’s Odds Beyond 90%

DeSantis’ departure has significantly boosted Trump’s odds, with the latest figures from OddsChecker indicating a more than 90% chance of him securing the nomination.

DeSantis, once considered a formidable contender, faced challenges in gaining support within the GOP primary, securing only 21.2% of the Iowa caucus vote. With the New Hampshire primary looming and polling showing a mere 7.5% support for DeSantis, the Florida governor made the unexpected decision to suspend his presidential campaign.

Recognizing the prevailing sentiment among Republican voters, DeSantis stated that he had signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and affirmed his commitment to honoring that pledge. Despite past disagreements with Trump, he endorsed the former president, further consolidating Trump’s position in the race.

Additionally, DeSantis said that Nikki Haley, the only other major candidate remaining in the primary race, represents the “old Republican guard of yesteryear” and is a “repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism.”

Trump’s recent triumph in Iowa, where he garnered an impressive 51% vote share, has translated into a substantial boost in his odds. According to OddsChecker, Trump is now priced at evens (implying a 50% chance) to win the 2024 US election. Other platforms, such as 888sport, offer odds of 6/5 (45% chance) for Trump’s victory.

Trump’s Dominance in Early Contests Positions Him as the Clear Favorite Over Nikki Haley

As the Republican primary unfolds, Nikki Haley remains the sole challenger to Trump, with odds of 12/1. However, the dominance displayed by Trump in the early contests, coupled with the endorsement from DeSantis, positions him as the overwhelming favorite among political bettors and analysts.

The OddsChecker stats not only underscore Trump’s ascendancy within the Republican Party but also highlight the increasing likelihood of a Trump-Biden rematch in the 2024 general election. Both Trump and Biden are currently priced at 45 cents on the PredictIt market, signaling a neck-and-neck race.

The landscape of the 2024 presidential race is marked by skepticism and disbelief, with Republicans questioning Biden’s ability to secure the Democratic nomination and Democrats expressing concern over the potential impact of legal challenges on Trump’s candidacy. 

The intricate dynamics set the stage for a closely monitored and intriguing electoral contest, with the odds pointing to a compelling showdown between Trump and Biden.

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