Indian tribal representatives are excited about the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz. This combination could bring more knowledge about Indian Gaming to the White House. Both Harris and Walz have experience in working with tribes in states where Indian gaming takes place. If Harris continues with the positive work of the Biden administration, tribal authorities believe she will be good for tribal gaming.
Progress under Biden administration
Tribal leaders say the Biden administration has been good for Native Americans. Biden appointed 70 Native Americans to government positions. Deb Haaland was the first Native American to serve in the cabinet as US Secretary of the Interior. This involved increased interaction with tribal leaders and the enforcement of policies and regulations. The Seminole Tribe benefitted when the Interior defended its compact. The support for the Seminole Tribe has been noted by other tribes. Federal rules now offer more clarity to how tribes can participate in online casinos and sports betting.
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) is positive about the impact Harris and Walz could have on Indian gaming. They have recently been campaigning in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan. The states have been important for democrats since Hillary Clinton had defeats that helped Trump to win in 2016. The battle in Michigan was looking close before Biden dropped out although he won both states in 2020.
In Michigan, 12 tribes own casinos, and some of the 16 Michigan online casinos are owned and operated by these tribes. Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians and is operated by the Tribe’s management partner, MPM Enterprises, LLC. PlayGunLake is Gun Lake’s online casino arm.
Harris could continue the progress
Before she became vice president, Kamala Harris was attorney general for California. In this position, she had oversight over the Bureau of Gambling Control.
Harris wasn’t too popular in this position because she didn’t crack down on illegal gaming offerings as requested by tribes. She also opposed fee-to-trust land acquisitions by Californian tribes. Harris explains that the issues were not specific to her and pointed to the governor.
What makes tribal leaders optimistic about her is her experience as vice president under Biden. She did sponsor some priority American Indian law in Congress. Choosing Walz as a running mate is also in her favor.
Haaland is unlikely to remain as interior secretary as secretaries don’t often stay on through two administrations. However, Harris is likely to continue appointing Native Americans to federal government positions.
Walz – a track record of working with tribes
Walz was first elected Minnesota governor in 2018 and again in 2022. He has pursued progressive policies in his position as governor and has a track record of working with tribes. He was the first governor in the history of the state to visit all the reservations. The level of access tribal leaders had to the government was historic.
The success he has had with tribes in Minnesota is partly due to choosing Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, as lieutenant governor. If he becomes vice-president, Flanagan could become the first Native American governor in the history of the United States.
Growing a business such as online gambling and sports betting can be tricky when there’s conflict. The 11 tribes, each with at least one casino in the state, have had ongoing conflict with Minnesota’s two horse racing tracks. The tribes argue that new forms of racing such as digital horse racing threaten their exclusive rights. Walz has supported tribal exclusivity over Minnesota sports betting. He appointed two tribal members to the Minnesota Racing Commission. This reaffirmed the commitment to Native American sports betting.
Tribal leaders are positive that Minnesota will still see favorable policies from the governor, no matter who that is. If Flanagan became the new governor, she would be likely to carry over similar policies.
