RubinBrown Gaming Stats 2014

WASHINGTON D.C. REGION

Growth The Washington D.C. Region was able to generate positive revenue growth of 0.4% in 2012. However, the region’s long-term growth prospects remain dim with the legalization of commercial casinos in New York and Massachusetts. Challenges Competition from increased commercial gaming continues to challenge tribes in the Washington D.C. Region. The region’s two largest casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, both located in Connecticut, continue to face increased competition as Rhode Island introduced table games in 2013. Future expansion in Massachusetts and New York will bring greater competition to the region. Opportunities With the increase in commercial gaming, tribes within the Washington D.C. Region continue to enter the commercial gaming space. Mohegan Sun has been the most active in their pursuit of a Massachusetts gaming license. Other tribes, such as the Seneca Nation and Oneida have preserved limited regional exclusivity in exchange for continued revenue contributions to New York State. Region Specific News The Poarch Creek Indian Tribe opened the Wind Creek Wetumpka Casino in December 2013, making it the largest casino in Alabama. The casino will employ 1,100 people and replace the smaller Poarch Creek Casino in Wetumpka. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange continues to go against legal precedent and advice provided from legal academics and is contesting the Poarch Creek Indian Tribe’s ability to operate Class II gaming on land held in trust. In the latest ruling, issued in April 2014, U.S. District Court Judge, Keith Watkins stated, “The bottom line is that even if defendants are operating illegal Class III gaming at the Poarch Band casinos, (state law) does not provide the state authority to prohibit such gaming.” The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is developing a second Harrah’s Casino that will include 60,000 square feet of gaming space, a 300 room full-service hotel, and multiple dining options. The second casino will be located approximately one hour away from the existing Harrah’s Casino and two hours from Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians opened a new casino called Jena Choctaw Pines Casino in February 2013. The casino is a Class II facility, offering 700 gaming machines, poker tables, and multiple dining options.

24 | 2014 Commercial & Tribal Gaming Stats