Minnesota tribes feel impact of economy at casinos

Monday, January 19, 2009  

Minnesota tribes say the economy is having an effect on their gaming facilities.

Traffic is down 3 percent to 6 percent, according to the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association. That's not as bad as the 25 percent drop in Las Vegas but it's definitely impacting revenues in the state.

“The numbers of visitors are about the same but they are spending less,” Tadd Johnson, special counsel to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, told The Duluth News Tribune.

Like most tribes, the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe doesn't report revenues. But the city of Duluth saw a 12 percent decline in its share of revenues from the tribe's casino.

The tribe is “at zero growth," Chairwoman Karen Diver said.

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa saw a 5 percent revenue increase in 2008 but business started slowing down in December, Chairman Kevin Leecy said.

Get the Story:
Local casinos feeling recession's squeeze (The Duluth News Tribune 1/18)