Tribal casinos in trouble amid economic woes

Wednesday, July 15, 2009  

Tribal casinos around the nation are in financial trouble due to the lingering recession, business and legal experts told Indian Country Today.

The National Indian Gaming Commission reported a slight rise in gaming revenues in a recent report. But tribes in some parts of the country have seen double-digit drops in business.

“It saddens me to see so many tribes burdened by the downturn of the economy,” said Bill Lomax, the president of the Native American Finance Officers Association.

Kathryn Rand, co-director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy, said several tribes have cut back operating hours, instituting layoffs and hiring freezes and put off expansion plans. The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska went so far as to shut down its casino altogether.

“There is no doubt that the gaming industry, including the tribal gaming industry, is feeling the pinch of the recession," she told ICT.

NAFOA is hosting a conference from September 8-10 at the Tamaya Resort at Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico to help tribes weather the storm. “As tribes look to restructure their businesses, they need to look at debt load and payment structures, food and beverage, retail attractions, marketing budgets, enhanced marketing efforts, and staffing,” Lomax said.

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Tribal casino closes due to poor economy (Indian Country Today 7/15)