From Trump’s fervent rallies in Nevada where he roared about exempting tips from tax, to the generous contributions from Las Vegas Sands’ magnate, Miriam, and her late husband Sheldon Adelson, it’s clear that gambling enterprises are far from indifferent in what many deem the most critical election showdown in the free world.
Tribal Leaders See a Presidential Pair They Like
Now, the Democratic duo of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz has shuffled the deck, presenting a fresh hand that could appeal to industry insiders, particularly those in tribal gaming—a powerhouse in the lobbying arena.
Both Harris and Walz have mingled within the tribal gaming sphere, placing their bets on favorable terms. This gambit has paid off, earning them endorsements from key figures like Indian Gaming Association (IGA) chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. and influential lobbyist Holly Cook Macarro. The stakes are high, and these industry heavyweights are not bluffing about the potential gains with a Harris-Walz administration.
And they aren’t the only ones rolling the dice. IGA executive director Jason Giles and conference chairman Victor Rocha recently used their platform to lay out the benefits a Harris-Walz presidency could bring to tribal gaming. Their webcast buzzed with optimism about the industry’s future under new Democratic leadership.
Although Harris and Walz are yet to be officially confirmed as the Democratic nominees—a seal to be stamped later this month in Chicago—tribal experts are keenly anticipating their rise. With President Joe Biden stepping aside, all bets are on them facing off against Trump in what promises to be a high-stakes electoral poker game.
The mood among tribal experts is cautiously optimistic. They believe that a Harris-Walz administration could offer not necessarily an advantage but at least an ear attuned to the specific challenges facing their sector.
Take Tim Walz, for instance. He’s held in high regard in tribal circles for his endorsement of tribal exclusivity over sports betting in Minnesota. It’s a move that may not reflect the most lucrative market strategy, but it underscores Walz’s steadfast support for tribal interests. Whether it’s appointing tribal members to the Minnesota Racing Commission to mediate disputes over historical horse racing, or backing legislative measures, Walz has shown he knows when to stand by his allies.
To add another card to his deck, Walz looks set to pass the gubernatorial torch to Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Nation. If he wins, she would break new ground as the first Native American woman to govern in U.S. history—a monumental shuffle in the political landscape.
No Currying Favor, But Still a Strong Rapport
The Biden administration has already dealt a kind hand to Native Americans, with over 70 appointments across various capacities, including Deb Haaland as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. It sets a precedent, but it’s not a guarantee that Harris and Walz will openly champion micro-managing tribal gaming issues. What’s certain is their established rapport with tribal leaders has garnered them significant goodwill.
The tribal gaming community, already fighting battles from California to Utah to Florida, isn’t looking for quick favors. Instead, they appreciate leaders who understand their needs—like a skilled casino manager who knows which levers to pull and when to up the ante. In Harris and Walz, they see a duo more likely to lend an attentive ear than turn a blind eye.
In the grand casino of American politics, where every seat at the table has players with high stakes, the Harris-Walz ticket might just be the ace up the sleeve that tribal gaming entities were betting on. And in this high-stakes game, it’s not just about having a winning hand but playing it wisely.
