Thanks to the @pokegnek and @fourwindscasino for their generous contribution to the City of South Bend and many local organizations. These funds will help lift up our community’s children and families across all neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/gvfw7lw6J2
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 17, 2019

Public Relations

Pokagon Band shares $1.56 million with hosts of casino in Indiana

Thursday, January 17, 2019

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is celebrating a gaming milestone in Indiana.

The Four Winds Casino debuted in South Bend a year ago this week. The tribe marked the occasion by donating $1.56 million to non-profits in the community.

"Thanks to the @pokegnek and @fourwindscasino for their generous contribution to the City of South Bend and many local organizations," Mayor Pete Buttigieg wrote in a post on Twitter. "These funds will help lift up our community’s children and families across all neighborhoods."

Excited to finally present #SouthBend organizations with our first revenue share, a total of $1,560,000. Migwėtth to all who helped make this possible. @FourWindsCasino @PeteButtigieg pic.twitter.com/vxOrGyGGkd
— Pokagon Potawatomi (@Pokegnek) January 17, 2019

The funds are in addition to the $1.2 million that the tribe shared with the city last October. The money comes from a portion of revenues at the casino, which is the first and only tribal gaming facility in Indiana.

The tribe's arrangement is unique in that the South Bend facility only offers Class II games, such as bingo and electronic versions of bingo. Most revenue sharing in Indian Country, in comparison, occurs in connection with Class III gaming compacts.

The tribe opened the casino after winning approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to acquire 166 acres within its homeland in Indiana. The land-into-trust application remains the first of its kind in the state.

The tribe also operates three gaming facilities in Michigan. All of them, plus the one in Indiana, are located in the service area that was defined when the tribe gained federal recognition through an act of Congress.