Indian Gaming Now

Steven Light's blog

Mashpee & Masschusetts Announce Compact Agreement

Posted by Steven Light | Filed under:
Jul 12 2012
Tribal-state compacting is alive and well, it seems. The Mashpee Wampanoag and Massachusetts announced yesterday they've agreed on a compact that is another milestone on the way to legalized casino gambling in that state.

Steve is quoted in the Boston Globe on the key question about the compact's terms: whether the tribe's agreement to pay a 21.5% cut of gambling revenue to the state -- less than the 25% to be paid by commercial casino operators -- will overcome federal scrutiny.  As Steve asks, “The question will be, is 21.5 too high?”

Tough Times in Reno - Silver Legacy Bankrupt

Posted by Steven Light | Filed under:
May 24 2012
The Silver Legacy, opened in 1995 at a cost of more than $300 million as one of Reno's premier casinos, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The move is cited as a troubling example of Reno's inability to maintain a sustainable market for California tourists.

Gambling revenue in Reno has dropped by a third since 2000. In addition to the lack of rebound from local and national recession, steady competition from Northern California's tribal casinos, especially the Thunder Valley Casino near Lincoln, is cited as a primary cause.

Barack-etology: Obama's March Madness

Posted by Steven Light | Filed under:
Mar 15 2012
The NCAA men's basketball tournament is underway, and for many, "work" will become a distraction from hoops-watching.  March Madness is everywhere, and the White House is no exception.

President Obama's brackets were introduced by ESPN to much fanfare, and why not?  Obama is the Commander in Chief, after all, and a pretty good hoopster, to boot.  (He picks the UNC Tar Heels to win it all, in case you hadn't heard.  Harvard, his alma mater, didn't fare so well.)