Tribal casinos in Las Vegas seen reaching a milestone moment

LAS VEGAS — The purchase by a California-based Native American tribe of a casino resort just off the Las Vegas Strip is being seen a milestone in the evolution of Indian casino ownership in city at the center of U.S. gambling.

"Who doesn't want to be in Las Vegas?" Laurens Vosloo, CEO of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal following last week's announcement that the tribe will buy the Palms Casino Resort from Las Vegas-based casino operator Station Casinos for $650 million.

"It's the gaming Mecca of the world and the place to be," Vosloo said. "It's a natural and a good fit for us to have an asset there that we can send our customers to, contribute to that economy and be part of the Las Vegas community."

The deal is expected to close later this year, making the San Manuel Band the second tribal enterprise in the Las Vegas resort corridor.

The Mohegan Sun Casino opened in March at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas — the renamed and renovated former Hard Rock resort several blocks east of the Strip.

Read more: https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2021/may/12/tribal-casinos-las-vegas-seen-reaching-milestone-m/