NCPG Launches Tribal Advisory Council
Seeking to further its ties with Indian Country, the National Council for Problem Gambling has created a Tribal Advisory Council.
“Our work with tribes is based on a deep respect for Tribal sovereignty and our core values of neutrality, collaboration, respect and credibility,” NCPG executive director Keith Whyte told Gaming Americas. “We have a responsibility to listen and learn, as well as the opportunity to share our knowledge as we seek to reduce the social costs of gambling addiction and improve health and wellness in all communities. The relationships and partnerships we have forged over the years are the strong foundation for this exciting new project.”
According to the American Gaming Association, at the end of FY 2021, 250 tribes operated 515 gaming locations across the U.S. and accounted for 44 percent of annual gaming revenue.
Spokane Tribe Casino Opens New Addition
The Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, Wash. opened a new addition July 12 that featured an additional 175 hotel rooms, a dining hall, pool and fitness center. The addition is the latest expansion for the property, as it opened the Spokane Live concert venue last November and doubled its gaming floor approximately three years ago.
According to the Spokesman-Review, the casino also has about 100 more acres of undeveloped land to use.
“Watching all the elements come together is thrilling,” the casino’s Director of Hotel Operations Matthew Damskov, said in a statement. “Our casino has been expanding and improving ever since we opened six years ago.”
Jamul Casino Tops Off New Hotel
A topping-off ceremony was held July 16 for Jamul Casino’s new 200-room, 16-story hotel tower. The building is due to be completed in the first half of 2025.
“After years of conceptualizing and planning, we are proud to mark this significant milestone in Jamul Casino’s history,” Jamul Chairwoman Erica Pinto said, per Indian Gaming. “We are appreciative of our partners at C.W. Driver Companies as they help bring this vision to life, and we cannot wait to open the hotel doors and invite guests to experience it for themselves next year.”
This Oklahoma Tribe Ready for Sports Betting
Sports betting isn’t legal in Oklahoma and likely won’t be until after Governor Kevin Stitt term-limits out in 2027, but River Spirit Casino this month opened a new sports bar that will easily convert to a sportsbook. The Tulsa casino now offers the “largest sports viewing experience in Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Public Radio reported Wednesday.
