Are the casinos in Vegas owned by natives?

Answered by Willian Lymon

The ownership of casinos in Las Vegas is not primarily held by Native American tribes. The majority of the casinos in Las Vegas are owned by large corporations and private individuals. However, there are two tribes in Nevada that do operate casinos.

1. Moapa Band of Paiutes:
The Moapa Band of Paiutes is one of the 32 tribes in Nevada, and they own the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza. This casino is located approximately 30 miles north of Las Vegas on I-15. It is a small-scale casino that offers various gaming options and amenities. The Moapa Band of Paiutes has been able to establish this casino as a means of economic development and self-sustainability for their tribe.

2. Washoe Tribe:
The Washoe Tribe, another Native American tribe in Nevada, owns the Wa She Shu Casino & Travel Plaza. This casino is situated about 16 miles south of Carson City, which is the capital of Nevada. Similar to the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza, the Wa She Shu Casino is also a relatively small-scale operation. It offers gaming opportunities and other amenities to both locals and tourists in the area.

It is important to note that while these two tribes operate casinos, they are not located in the heart of Las Vegas like the major resort casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Strip is primarily dominated by large corporate-owned casinos and resorts.

The ownership of casinos by Native American tribes is not limited to Nevada. Throughout the United States, there are numerous tribes that own and operate casinos as a means of generating revenue for their communities. These casinos often provide employment opportunities for tribal members and contribute to the overall economic development of the tribe.

However, it is worth mentioning that the decision to operate a casino is not made by all Native American tribes. Each tribe has the right to determine whether or not to pursue gaming as a form of economic development. Some tribes may choose to focus on other industries or sources of revenue.

While the majority of casinos in Las Vegas are not owned by Native American tribes, there are two tribes in Nevada that do operate their own casinos. The Moapa Band of Paiutes and the Washoe Tribe have established small-scale casinos as a means of economic development and self-sustainability. These casinos are not located on the Las Vegas Strip but provide gaming opportunities and amenities to their respective communities.