How an obscure exception in tribal law paved the way for Koi Nation casino near Windsor
The concept of restored lands states that a tribe should be considered for gaming rights if its federal recognition was unduly stripped, then later restored. As the Koi Nation spent the past three-plus years fighting for the right to develop a casino on a prized tract of land just outside Windsor, the fight was always on two fronts. On the ground, the Koi, a small band of Southeastern Pomo Indians, faced vocal, galvanized opposition from residents of the Shiloh neighborhood, who were aghast at the thought of a large resort-casino in their quiet, mostly upscale community. And across the country, in Washington DC, the tribe faced a different challenge. They had to convince the U.S. Department of the Interior that their people fit the requirements of the “restored lands exception,” an obscure element of tribal gaming law meant to offer a leg up for tribes that had been dispossessed and marginalized by the government. The Koi haven’t come any closer to allaying the fears of their future neighbors. But that won’t stop their project, because they were successful on the other front. Last week, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland published a “record of decision” that signaled her department’s intent to take 68 acres of land into trust for the tribe, paving the way for the Shiloh Resort and Casino. As proposed, the development will include a 400-room hotel and a 530,000-square-foot gambling floor, with 2,750 gaming devices and more than 100 table games. The Koi’s “restored lands” argument won, to the chagrin of Sonoma County’s other gaming tribes. “I was astounded, but certainly not surprised by the restored lands decision,” Greg Sarris, chair of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, said in a statement to The Press Democrat. “It’s been clear for months that the DOI was reinterpreting the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in order to approve this project. They have now stretched those laws to their breaking point.” About 40 miles away, the Wintun Yocha Dehe Nation was feeling a similar sting. Three days before her decision on the Koi project, Haaland green-lighted a land-to-trust agreement for another Pomo band with ancestral ties to modern-day Lake County — the Scotts Valley band — for their proposed casino in Vallejo. The Bureau of Indian Affairs did not respond to a request for comment and information. The heated disagreements in the wake of these decisions aren’t surprising, considering the complexity of tribal gaming law, and the twisted and destructive ways the government has treated California’s Indigenous peoples. “I always feel there’s a danger of reporters latching on to these tribe-vs.-tribe narratives,” said Greg Ablavsky, the Marion Rice Kirkwood Professor at Stanford School of Law. “It’s important to recognize that what has created this situation is the federal government putting itself in position of arbiter and decision maker, and handing down these sometimes-arbitrary decisions. And trying to clean up this history of disastrous policies in the 20th century.” ‘We need exceptions’ The experience of the Koi people is particularly fractured. The group traces its precolonial origins to the village of Koi, on an island in Clear Lake. In 1916, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs purchased 141 acres in Lake County and called it the Lower Lake Rancheria. That was the Koi’s home until 1956, when Congress authorized transfer of the tract to Lake County, to be developed as a municipal airport. Suddenly, the tribe was landless. Dispossessed and scattered, the Koi eventually seized upon the economic strategy many other Native American tribes have found most realistic: gambling. To get there, they would have to navigate the codes of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which governs all tribal casinos in this country. It would be a complicated path. When the act was passed, it essentially limited the pool of Class II and Class III gaming tribes to those with existing federal status at the time, unless new casino land either bordered an existing reservation or was within “the last recognized reservation of a tribe.” The Koi would ultimately gain federal recognition in 2000, but that would never make them eligible. Fortunately for the tribe, Congress had built some exceptions into the rules. “On a very broad level, I think it’s important to have some kind of exception,” said Florey, the Martin Luther King Jr. Professor at UC Davis School of Law. “Some tribes were terminated in the 1950s, under a program of kind of destroying the sovereign status of tribes that is now thoroughly discredited. In theory, you would not want to freeze the number of tribes that are able to game, because the rules are very arbitrary. We do need exceptions.” One exception involves the Secretary of the Interior consulting with the tribe and state and local officials, and determining if the project would be in everyone’s best interest. It requires the governor of the state to concur. Source link
Atlanta Braves player Matt Olson hosts charity casino night event at Truist Park – WSB-TV Channel 2
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson and his wife Nicole hosted the third annual ReClif Community Diamond Casino Night at Truist Park on Friday. The exclusive black-tie event was held in partnership with the Atlanta Braves Foundation and brought together over 400 guests to raise money for ReClif Community, a nonprofit that supports individuals and families affected by autism. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy over 40 casino games, a photo booth, a live watercolor painting experience, and more. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A silent and live auction were held where guests bid on exclusive Braves memorabilia, special items from local vendors, and unique experiences, including a golf outing with Olson. Atlanta Braves players Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy, and Spencer Strider also attended, as well as Coach Matt Tuiasosopo and former Braves player Luke Jackson. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ©2025 Cox Media Group Source link
Golden Gate Hotel and Casino Celebrates 119th Anniversary
To honor its 119th anniversary, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino organized a contest to offer 119 guests an opportunity to experience its storied past through guided tours. Jan 18, 2025 • 07:00 ET • 4 min read The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, one of Las Vegas’ historic anchors, made history once more as it celebrated its 119th anniversary this week. This historic property was among the first to be built in the city and is still situated at the corner of Fremont Street and Main Street in downtown Las Vegas. To honor its 119th anniversary, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino organized a contest to offer 119 guests an opportunity to experience its storied past through guided tours led by prominent figures. 119 years of history, 119 exclusive historic tours. ✨ Our CEO/Owner @DerekJStevens & VP @JeffVictor20 opened the celebration with a special address, honoring #GoldenGateVegas’ legacy as Vegas’ original casino. Here’s to the stories, the legends, and the legacy. 🥂 pic.twitter.com/aF5o0d40SB — Golden Gate Hotel & Casino (@GoldenGateVegas) January 16, 2025 The tours gave participants an intimate look at the Golden Gate’s transformation over the decades. The celebratory tours culminated in a cocktail party in one of the Golden Gate’s penthouse suites. Guests were treated to complimentary beverages and the signature shrimp cocktail, connecting the past with the present in a tribute to the venue’s legacy. Among the tour leaders were Dr. David Schwartz, a Las Vegas historian; Derek Stevens, the CEO and owner of the Golden Gate; and Jeff Victor, the property’s VP of Operations. Golden Gate Hotel & Casino history John Miller originally opened the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as the Miller Hotel, reportedly the first hotel in Las Vegas. It also began the history of Fremont Street as an entertainment and hospitality center. The Miller Hotel was initially a tent structure, but it soon developed into a permanent building and was named the Hotel Nevada in 1906. It became one of the more important hotels as it became a focal point in the new city. It even survived a temporary gambling ban that hit the city in 1909. Later, and with the gambling ban lifted, the property was rebranded as the Sal Sagev Hotel in 1932, a name that reversed the spelling of “Las Vegas.” At the same time, it doubled its size to four floors. According to Vegas historians and Golden Gate’s own account, the Golden Gate brand became involved with the casino property in 1955. Abe Miller, the owner and son of John Miller, leased the ground floor to a 22-man group. It opened in 1955. It soon found fame in the gambling circle for pioneering features such as, among other things, Las Vegas’ original shrimp cocktail, which was introduced in 1959. In 1974, Golden Gate took over the whole casino and hotel. The Sal Sagev was officially renamed the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, uniting the property under one iconic name. Casino shutdown continues Las Vegas changes The Las Vegas strip never sleeps, and progress in Sin City never sleeps either. The shutdown of one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas is one of just many recent changes to the gambling landscape in the city. More positively, Rampart Casino has been looking to the future with its decision to launch multiplayer 5 Card Draw poker, letting players bring the casino fun across Nevada. Meanwhile, the famous Mirage Las Vegas was demolished in 2024, marking a significant change to the face of the Las Vegas strip. Neighboring casino Treasure Island took the opportunity to welcome former Mirage customers with an exclusive promotion. Pages related to this topic Source link
Maryland Introduces Bill to Legalize Online Casino in 2025
Key Points At the time of writing, online casinos are not legal in Maryland A legislative bill, House Bill 17, seeks to legalize online casinos in Maryland House Bill 17 was proposed on January 8 by the House Ways and Means Committee Although online casinos in Maryland aren’t legal, things might change soon. State Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary has proposed a bill known as House Bill 17 (HB17), which seeks the legalization of online casinos across the Old Line state. Atterbeary’s first attempt at legalizing online casinos in Maryland failed, after stalling at Senate level. If passed this time, it will allow existing land-based casino operators to adopt online casino brands. It will also levy a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue, enforce protection against underage gambling and impose strict cybersecurity measures for player data protection. What House Bill 17 means for casinos in Maryland Atterbeary’s House Bill 17 aims to revamp the Maryland casino industry. In addition to allowing the operation of online casino sites, the bill seeks to create a safe gaming environment for Maryland residents while generating significant tax revenue for the state. This expansion might benefit all Maryland sportsbooks, thereby creating opportunities for betting platforms across the state. Here are some of the key points of HB17: Only existing casino operators and their partners can apply for online casino licenses A 15% tax will be imposed on gross gaming revenue There will be a tougher stance regarding underage and problem gambling Additional cybersecurity measures will be implemented to protect user data The bill also suggests giving online gambling licenses to video lottery operators and sports betting facilities. Plus, it will offer five additional licenses to applicants who meet social equity conditions. To Atterbeary, House Bill 17 will get Maryland into the league of US States where online casinos are legal. It will also create jobs and generate significant revenue for the State. That said, if the bill is passed this year at the Maryland General Assembly, it will not be fully operational until sometime in 2027. Maryland gamers might have their pick of online casino games Although online casinos are not legal in Maryland at the time of writing, if the law passes, gamers resident in Maryland would be able to play the following games: Online video slots Online blackjack Online roulette Poker Not everyone wants online casinos across Maryland Atterbeary’s first attempt to make online gaming legal across Maryland in 2024 wasn’t successful. The first bill was passed in the House, but it didn’t progress beyond the Senate. At the time, land-based casino operators in Maryland strongly opposed the bill. These operators and related businesses feared that online gaming sites would reduce patron traffic and ultimately threaten their revenue. Labor unions also believed that online gaming could lead to job losses. House Bill 17 includes responsible gaming and social equity initiatives to address these issues while focusing on how online gaming sites can generate new revenue streams for Maryland. Maryland gamers must seek alternatives for now Based on information released on the legislature’s website, House Bill 17 was first proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 8, the opening day of the session. Further meetings will now take place, where lawmakers will discuss the bill and collate public feedback. If HB17 makes it through this part of the process, it could be put to a statewide vote to gain final public approval. Keep an eye on this page to get the latest legal betting news about online gaming in Maryland. Playing at Maryland online casinos might happen soon Things appear to be looking up for casino fans in Maryland. House Bill 17, which seeks to legalize online casinos within the state, is currently under review by the Maryland legislature. It is the second time such a bill has been proposed, and the current version addresses some of the issues raised by those who opposed it in 2024. If passed, the bill will have a knock on effect in terms of responsible gaming and social equity initiatives. However, the fact that the state of Maryland will massively increase its gambling revenue streams is the most likely factor to affect the eventual outcome of House Bill 17. Source link
Casino Heist Saga: Chicago Man Convicted
A Chicago resident has been found guilty of orchestrating a theft of $700,000 from a Michigan casino. The fraudulent operation involved deceiving a casino employee via phone and text messages, leading her to pack the cash in a designer bag and subsequently deliver it. According to US Attorney Mark Totten, the case highlights the need for increased vigilance against phone and internet scams. The incident occurred at the Four Winds Casino, managed by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The victimized employee received instructions to collect the money allegedly for a tribal official. Federal investigators arrested the accused in March 2024, seven months after the heist, connecting him to a vehicle involved. Although $18,000 was recovered from his home, the defense argued there was insufficient evidence proving his direct involvement. Other suspects are still under investigation. (With inputs from agencies.) Source link
Native Village of Eklutna rushes to open Birchwood casino before Trump takes office
Trucks, excavators, heavy equipment, lumber, trailers, lights, construction workers, and security guards currently occupy a site about a mile west of the North Birchwood exit off the Glenn Highway. The Native Village of Eklutna seems to be scrambling to open their proposed casino before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Monday. The Native Village of Eklutna has partnered with Las Vegas-based Marnell Gaming, a major casino contractor whose portfolio includes the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace, to build and run the casino. Neither has said how much money Marnell has invested in the project. What appear to be dozens of slot machines wrapped in cardboard are already onsite. For decades, starting under former President George H.W. Bush, the interpretation of law by the Department of the Interior (DOI) did not allow Indian gaming in Alaska. This is because in Alaska, the vast majority of Native-controlled lands were not considered “Indian country” – a legal term that has major implications for permitted activities on Lower 48 reservations. A decision early last year by DOI Solicitor Robert Anderson – who has a long history with Alaska legal issues – reversed this longstanding interpretation, giving the Village of Eklutna a path to build and operate a casino on the 8-acre Ondola Allotment in Birchwood. Following Anderson’s decision, the Native Village of Eklutna almost immediately partnered with Marnell and began forming plans to bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Alaska on a large scale. In September, we reported that a portion of the allotment had been cleared. So it looks like the Native Village of Eklutna has cleared the land in Birchwood for their proposed casino, funded by Vegas based Marnell Gaming. There’s been little to no public awareness on this. It’s located a mile off the North Birchwood exit just before the railroad tracks. pic.twitter.com/mxZuL3Wn4Q — The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 28, 2024 In December, a lawsuit was filed by eight Birchwood residents challenging the proposed casino and the tribal status of the Native Village of Eklutna. When asked why he thinks they are moving so quick to open the casino, Don Mitchell, the attorney representing the Birchwood residents, told the Landmine, “Aaron Leggett, the president of the Native Village of Eklutna, has repeatedly said that they would open their casino late in 2025. The fact that they are doing this in the dead of night on Friday suggests to me that Anthony Marnell has been advised by his attorneys, or the attorneys for the Native Village of Eklutna, that their legal position is infirm, and that they may lose the lawsuit. They apparently think they may improve their legal position by changing their position on the ground. They are dead wrong about that.” A spokesperson for the Native Village of Eklutna declined to comment for this story. This is a developing story. Source link
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Full House Resorts discloses ‘significant’ debt, but New Haven supporters willing to go all in | Local
The Las Vegas-based gaming company angling to build a $50 million casino and hotel complex in New Haven faces some enormous challenges. The biggest obstacles aren’t in northeast Indiana, however, where supporters and opponents alike reside. The 2024 annual report Full House Resorts Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission discloses 55 ways the company is vulnerable. The list includes: • An economic downturn could reduce consumers’ discretionary spending • Heavy reliance on technology and electricity could cripple the company in the event of a cyber attack or extended power outage • It’s possible the operation won’t be able to generate enough cash flow to make loan payments on its “significant indebtedness.” Although it’s common for companies to be vulnerable to recessions and cybercrime, they aren’t all burdened by debt that’s higher than the company’s value. Full House’s market cap – or the combined value of its shares – was about $175 million on Thursday. Full House reported long-term debt of almost $480 million in the 2024 filing. That amount is 68% of total company assets as of Dec. 31, 2023, when the company operated seven casinos. Full House’s long-term debt was 79% of total company assets if goodwill and other intangible assets are excluded. Annual revenue reported for 2023 was $241 million. The company also reported a $24.9 million loss for 2023, which was a 68% increase from the $14.8 million loss reported for 2022. Ongoing operations In 2022, Full House stock was trading at more than $12 a share on the Nasdaq stock market. Since fall 2023, the price has hovered around $5. The company’s financial health is tied closely to the economy. Its stock price fell to below $1 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and hovered at less than $2 a share during the Great Recession in 2008 and again during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Among its outlined risks, Full House said it cannot guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell their stock at a favorable price – or find a buyer at any price. Also, outstanding stock options awarded to executives could result in more shares outstanding, lowering the value of each share owned by existing stockholders. Full House executives aren’t the only ones who see the company’s vulnerabilities. An independent investing website recently found some, too. Simply Wall St.’s mission “is to empower every retail investor in the world to make smarter, more confident investment decisions,” according to its website. The firm’s company risk analysis of Full House found: • Significant insider selling over the past three months • The company is currently unprofitable and not forecast to become profitable over the next three years • Shareholders’ equity in the company has been diluted in the past year • The company has less than one year before the amount of cash on hand is fully depleted by its monthly operating shortfall. Doing due diligence New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael invested considerable effort in researching Full House before deciding to back the project, including looking into the company’s balance sheet, a colleague said. McMichael was unavailable for an interview this week, but he outlined his efforts in a column published Nov. 29 The Journal Gazette. McMichael wrote that he visited 12 of the 13 Indiana cities that host casino operations. Zach Washler, the city’s community development director, accompanied McMichael on some of those trips. He said this week that stops included Anderson, Shelbyville, Terre Haute, Lawrenceburg and Rising Sun. Rising Sun is the community that would lose its riverboat casino if the Indiana General Assembly votes to allow Full House to move its gaming license to New Haven – and if the New Haven City Council agrees to allow it after the proposal winds its way through the legislative process. The General Assembly session will end on April 29 at the latest. Rising Sun officials didn’t return multiple messages The Journal Gazette left this week requesting comments on the impact of the Full House casino there. But officials, including the mayor, met with McMichael during his visit, Washler said. McMichael wrote: “I looked for reasons to say ‘no’ to the development in New Haven. I looked for evidence of increased crime, addiction and poverty in these communities. I talked to local leaders including mayors, fire chiefs, police chiefs and leaders of local nonprofits. I asked them hard questions. And in every case, I didn’t see evidence of harm to those communities.” “Local officials and nonprofit leaders all said the same thing. There was a negligible increase in crime, poverty or addiction attributable to the presence of a casino. The expected problems never developed,” McMichael wrote. “Rather, all local officials and leaders said the casinos are good corporate citizens that have helped the local community through philanthropy and economic development.” That included in Shelbyville, where residents feared a new casino operated by Caesar’s Entertainment would lead to more crime. In response, the local police department created a task force to address the expected uptick. Officials told McMichael the task force was disbanded after six months because the increase never materialized, Washler said. Various officials said the state’s strict gaming regulations have helped ensure that communities have a good experience, Washler said. Indiana Gaming Commission officers are on-site at the state’s casinos, monitoring operations every day, he said, adding that gaming companies also employ security staff. McMichael, in the November column, summed up this opinion by saying that he’s “all in” on hosting a casino. “This fact-finding, coupled with the potential economic impact for New Haven, required that I bring this idea to the community for public discussion,” he wrote, adding that discussion has been robust and mostly positive. Dollars and cents The potential cash infusion for New Haven is difficult to ignore. A study conducted by international consulting firm CBRE and commissioned by Full House projected that a proposed New Haven casino would generate more than $80 million in annual taxes and help create more than 2,400 new
Jury convicts man in bold scheme to steal $700,000 from Michigan casino | News
DETROIT – A Chicago man has been convicted in the theft of $700,000 from a Michigan casino, a brazen scheme in which an employee was tricked over the phone into stuffing the cash into a designer bag and driving 85 miles to deliver it. “This case underscores the need for businesses, organizations and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said. The crime occurred in 2023 at the Four Winds Casino in Hartford in southwest Michigan, which is operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The FBI said a key employee who handles cash received a phone call and text messages directing her to immediately gather $700,000 for a tribal official. No one stopped the employee as she filled a Michael Kors bag with bundles of cash, walked out of the casino and drove away. She stayed on the phone with the caller who eventually told her to go to a gas station in Gary, Indiana. That’s when she passed the cash to Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, one of two men in a minivan who met her, investigators said. Gaytan-Garcia was convicted of two charges Thursday in federal court in Kalamazoo. His attorney couldn’t immediately comment Friday. Investigators said they recovered $18,000 from a safe in Gaytan-Garcia’s Chicago home. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Source link
Wynn looks to Vegas to remodel Macau’s US$28 billion casino hub into ‘1+4 economy’
In the second part of our series on Macau’s integrated resort operators, Peggy Sito looks at how Wynn Macau is adopting the playbook of its Las Vegas parent to capture the hearts and wallets of visitors, as it diversifies its earnings beyond the gambling tables. Click here for the first part. Last autumn, Lamborghini’s US$4 million Veneno Roadster was displayed in the lobbies of Wynn Macau’s flagship hotels, attracting large crowds of racing fans, automobile enthusiasts and tourists from mainland China and around the globe. The world’s most expensive Lamborghini production car – only nine Venenos have been made – was among 30 rare hypercars that made their first joint appearance in Asia, including the McLaren Speedtail, Porsche GT1 Strassenversion, Ferrari FXX and Aston Martin V12 Speedster. For president and vice-chairman Linda Chen, the HK$1.5 billion (US$192 million) showcase was part of a carefully calibrated campaign to create what she and non-executive chairman Allan Zeman call “the experience” – a memorable, immersive event that imprints their brand on visitors. They are taking a page from the playbook of Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, where Chen served as a director from October 2007 to December 2012. The Nasdaq-listed firm owns 71 per cent of the Hong Kong-listed casino concessionaire. “The hypercar concept worked really well [in creating memorable experiences] in Vegas, so we know that works, and we take it to apply to Macau,” she said in an interview in Macau. “We understand what has made Wynn Las Vegas successful. They really set the trend for everything.” ‘We are always ahead of the market,’ president Linda Chen says in a Post interview, together with non-executive chairman Allan Zeman, on December 19. Photo: Sun Yeung Source link
