Pokagon Tribe Looking to Offer Sports Betting

Categories: News | Published by: Corey Scott

23/01/2021

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians could soon begin offering sports betting and other gaming services in the state of Indiana.

This tribe operates the only tribal casino in the state, and it was recently able to sign a new gaming compact agreement with the governor.

Earlier this week, Governor Eric Holcomb and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians chairman, Matthew Wesaw, made an official agreement of the compact, and it was announced on Thursday. Class III games will be offered at the casino, and it will also give the tribe a chance to try out sports betting.

The Four Winds Casino in South Bend is the Indiana casino property owned by the tribe, and this group has requested a new gaming compact for months. Lawmakers in the state must approve the new gaming compact, but that could be done soon.

The US Department of the Interior will also be sent the compact for review before any changes can be made by the Pokagon Band. Indiana has a strong and competitive gaming market, and the tribe is looking to cash in on the growing industry.

This new gaming compact is a 20-year agreement, with 10-year renewals from that point on. The Pokagon Tribe has agreed to a 10 percent revenue share with that money going directly to the state of Indiana.

Each year, $1 million of the share will go to creating a fund that will allow members from the Pokagon band to attend colleges, universities, or workforce centers. The rest of the money will be used for whatever the state deems is necessary at that time.

The opportunity to offer sports betting in Indiana is a big win for the Pokagon band of Potawatomi Indians, but it will be the Class III gaming options that bring in the most revenue. Currently, this property only offers Class II gaming machines, which are similar to electronic bingo.

Once this compact is approved, the Four Winds Casino will be able to offer all of the table games that are found at commercial properties throughout the state.

Problems With Mobile Gaming

According to the gaming compact, the state legislature will determine the status of mobile gaming offered by the tribe. A mobile app will be available, but it will likely be required that all of the betting must be done on the reservation.

The Kambi Group has already partnered with the Potawatomi Tribe to power sports betting and online casino gaming in Michigan, and this partnership will likely be extended to Indiana. Retail sportsbooks are established in that state, and online sports betting is coming.

Online sports betting is available in Indiana, and those IN sports betting apps work anywhere in the state. Federal law could keep the tribe from having this option, but it is something that could be challenged by Indiana lawmakers.

The Four Winds Casino is located in South Bend, home to the University of Notre Dame. This could attract a wave of bettors to the property, especially during college football season.

For more sports news and legal sports betting in Indiana, check out more stories on our blog.