Architectural rendering of the proposed Ho-Chunk Nation casino in Beloit, Wisconsin. (Cuningham Group)
Across Indian Country—Wisconsin to Washington, Oklahoma, New York to New Mexico—Indian gaming is shifting and expanding to meet the market demands of the tourism and entertainment industries. From the Tesuque Casino slated to open its doors adjacent to the Santa Fe Opera on Black Friday, to Snoqualmie Casino’s debut of an elite, private gaming salon featuring an electrochromic glass wall—that can switch from transparent glass to opaque with the press of a button—here are five new developments underway in Indian Country.Ho-Chunk’s Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project Moves One Step Closer to Reality The Ho-Chunk Nation is a step closer to realizing its $405 million off-reservation casino in Wisconsin, six years in the making. The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently announced the availability of a draft environmental impact statement for the 33-acre site in Beloit, which still needs to be placed in trust.“We feel energized as this is the farthest this project has ever been,” President Wilfrid Cleveland said in a press release. “We look forward to working with our local partners through this approval process that creates thousands of construction jobs and 1,500 full time jobs for Wisconsin.”A public hearing will be scheduled in the City of Beloit at a site and date yet to be determined.“The City of Beloit is thrilled that the casino project is advancing forward at the federal level. We’re hopeful that it can now move more quickly through the final approval process to provide 1,500 jobs and to bring countless visitors to the Greater Beloit area,” City Manager Lori Curtis Luther and the Beloit City Council said in a recent statement. “This casino, hotel, convention center, and waterpark will surely be an asset to our great community. The Ho-Chunk Nation has an excellent reputation for running high-quality properties, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the tribe throughout the duration of this project.”Snoqualmie Turns 10, Debuts Private Gaming Salon The Snoqualmie Tribe rang in the 10th anniversary of its Snoqualmie Casino with the unveiling of a new private gaming salon.Appealing to clients who desire privacy and luxury, the tribe’s design partner spared no expense in conceptualizing the Private Gaming Salon, according to a casino press release: “To create a totally exclusive feel at the new Private Gaming Salon, our team built an interior room featuring an electrochromic glass wall. This provides the ability to change the transparent glass to opaque with the press of a button. The outer glass wall features an overlay that is a custom application of patterns from the history and culture of the Snoqualmie Tribe.”The Private Gaming Salon brings the Washington casino’s upgrades full circle. Previous renovations and additions in 2018 included the MIST Bar; a fully enclosed, 1,355-square-foot non-smoking gaming room; the Snoqualmie Café & Deli; and a casino-wide infusion of tribal art design.
Choctaw Casino Expansion to Create 1,000 Jobs in Durant, Oklahoma The Choctaw Nation will expand its flagship casino in Durant, Oklahoma, for the fourth time since its 2006 opening. The Nation anticipates breaking ground in late spring 2019, taking roughly two years to complete, creating about 1,000 jobs in Durant in the process.The tribe will increase hotel room space, expand its gaming floor, and add amenities such as new pools and a lazy river, parking garage, retail space, conference center, entertainment and food and beverage options.“More than 30 years ago our tribe had the vision to begin this expedition by purchasing the 50 acres that the resort resides on today,” states Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton. “The property was the starting point for many wonderful things to come for our tribe. We are elated to continue to grow with our community and improve the lives of our tribal and community members. This expansion will help the local economy and meet the demands of our growing customer base.” 
St. Regis Mohawk Names Tribal Member as Executive Director of Gaming Commission Jill Benedict, an enrolled member and lifelong resident of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, has been appointed executive director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC). Benedict assumed position on November 5, 2018, taking the place of Todd Papineau, who was named Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort General Manager in May 2018 after 16 years with the commission.“I am honored and appreciative of the opportunity to utilize my skills, as well as my passion for Indian gaming, to oversee the Tribal Gaming Commission and compliance of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s gaming enterprises,” Benedict said in a release. “I look forward to applying my knowledge of the Tribe’s gaming staff, procedures, and understanding of internal control standards to safeguard the integrity of the Tribe’s casino and bingo operations.”Benedict joins the Tribal Gaming Commission following 15 years as the Director of Compliance for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, where she enforced compliance with local, state and federal law, and oversaw the anti-money laundering compliance program and investigations, as well as the development of policies and procedures that enhanced financial oversight.As the Tribal Gaming Commission Executive Director, Benedict will be in charge of ensuring a safe, fair and honest play at the gaming establishments in accordance with tribal laws, federal regulations and the Tribal-State Compact. She is also tasked with overseeing efforts to ensure the success of the Tribe’s gaming enterprises by training and developing highly competent individuals to protect the Tribe’s assets and maintaining the public’s confidence in the integrity of the gaming enterprises — Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort and the Mohawk Bingo Palace.
Jill Benedict (srmt-nsn.gov)Tesuque Pueblo Shutters One Casino, Prepares for Debut of Casino by Santa Fe OperaThe Tesuque Pueblo has shuttered its Camel Rock Casino after two decades. The tribe is counting on a larger, forthcoming casino, located 8 miles away on tribal land adjacent to the Santa Fe Opera, to replace that revenue stream and more. The Tesuque Pueblo will open the doors to Tesuque Casino the day after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday, November 23, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican.While the proximity to the opera house initially sparked some concern, the venues have been communicating closely about building a mutually beneficial relationship.“I think our relationship, both sides, is very positive,” John Kubiak, chairman of the Pueblo of Tesuque Development Corp., told the Santa Fe New Mexican. “I think we’re going to have a positive impact on opera patrons who can enjoy our casino either before or after the opera. I think there’s a lot of synergies that we’ve been talking back and forth with the opera on. We are excited to explore our continued, common interests.”
Choctaw Casino Expansion to Create 1,000 Jobs in Durant, Oklahoma The Choctaw Nation will expand its flagship casino in Durant, Oklahoma, for the fourth time since its 2006 opening. The Nation anticipates breaking ground in late spring 2019, taking roughly two years to complete, creating about 1,000 jobs in Durant in the process.The tribe will increase hotel room space, expand its gaming floor, and add amenities such as new pools and a lazy river, parking garage, retail space, conference center, entertainment and food and beverage options.“More than 30 years ago our tribe had the vision to begin this expedition by purchasing the 50 acres that the resort resides on today,” states Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton. “The property was the starting point for many wonderful things to come for our tribe. We are elated to continue to grow with our community and improve the lives of our tribal and community members. This expansion will help the local economy and meet the demands of our growing customer base.” St. Regis Mohawk Names Tribal Member as Executive Director of Gaming Commission Jill Benedict, an enrolled member and lifelong resident of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, has been appointed executive director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC). Benedict assumed position on November 5, 2018, taking the place of Todd Papineau, who was named Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort General Manager in May 2018 after 16 years with the commission.“I am honored and appreciative of the opportunity to utilize my skills, as well as my passion for Indian gaming, to oversee the Tribal Gaming Commission and compliance of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s gaming enterprises,” Benedict said in a release. “I look forward to applying my knowledge of the Tribe’s gaming staff, procedures, and understanding of internal control standards to safeguard the integrity of the Tribe’s casino and bingo operations.”Benedict joins the Tribal Gaming Commission following 15 years as the Director of Compliance for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, where she enforced compliance with local, state and federal law, and oversaw the anti-money laundering compliance program and investigations, as well as the development of policies and procedures that enhanced financial oversight.As the Tribal Gaming Commission Executive Director, Benedict will be in charge of ensuring a safe, fair and honest play at the gaming establishments in accordance with tribal laws, federal regulations and the Tribal-State Compact. She is also tasked with overseeing efforts to ensure the success of the Tribe’s gaming enterprises by training and developing highly competent individuals to protect the Tribe’s assets and maintaining the public’s confidence in the integrity of the gaming enterprises — Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort and the Mohawk Bingo Palace.Jill Benedict (srmt-nsn.gov)Tesuque Pueblo Shutters One Casino, Prepares for Debut of Casino by Santa Fe OperaThe Tesuque Pueblo has shuttered its Camel Rock Casino after two decades. The tribe is counting on a larger, forthcoming casino, located 8 miles away on tribal land adjacent to the Santa Fe Opera, to replace that revenue stream and more. The Tesuque Pueblo will open the doors to Tesuque Casino the day after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday, November 23, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican.While the proximity to the opera house initially sparked some concern, the venues have been communicating closely about building a mutually beneficial relationship.“I think our relationship, both sides, is very positive,” John Kubiak, chairman of the Pueblo of Tesuque Development Corp., told the Santa Fe New Mexican. “I think we’re going to have a positive impact on opera patrons who can enjoy our casino either before or after the opera. I think there’s a lot of synergies that we’ve been talking back and forth with the opera on. We are excited to explore our continued, common interests.”
