Explainer
How Tribes Structure Casino Ownership: A Plain Explainer
A tribe is a government, not a business — so how does it come to own and run a casino? The structures that make it work.
News, policy, and the complete directory of tribal casinos across the U.S. and Canada — a $41 billion industry, covered with the depth it deserves. From Seminole sports-betting compacts to Saskatchewan SIGA operations, we cover all 245+ tribal gaming operations.
A tribe is a government, not a business — so how does it come to own and run a casino? The structures that make it work.
A constitution that outlaws casino games by name forces Idaho's tribes to build resorts on an unusual set of permitted devices.
From Oklahoma to New York, the summer's groundbreakings reveal hospitality — not gaming positions — as the new competitive lever.
Nevada lawmakers move to classify sports event contracts as gambling, backing tribes in the fight over exclusivity.
The Kumeyaay tribe bets big on hotel rooms, retail, and community services in one of America's most crowded casino markets.
Every federally recognized tribe operating a gaming facility in the United States, plus First Nations operators in Canada — verified, categorized by IGRA class, and searchable by state, nation, and property.
Operator of seven Hard Rock-branded properties in Florida and controlling interest in the global Hard Rock International brand. Holder of a 2021 federal compact granting exclusive statewide sports betting.
Operates WinStar World Casino & Resort — the largest casino in the world by gaming floor — plus 22 other gaming properties statewide.
Owner-operator of Foxwoods Resort Casino, long one of the largest integrated resort casinos in North America.
Operates Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula — the largest resort casino on the West Coast.
A nonprofit consortium of 74 First Nations operating seven casinos under provincial framework agreement.
Everything operators, regulators, journalists, and tribal leaders need to know about what is — and is not — permitted under IGRA, state compacts, and the Canadian Criminal Code. Updated quarterly. Reviewed by Indian-law attorneys.