Native American gaming industry requests Federal aid

National Indian Gaming Association requests $18bn in government support to help weather the Coronavirus storm.

US.- The Native American gaming industry has requested US$18 billion in Federal aid to face the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The request comes after the government mandated the closure of all casinos, the sole source of commercial revenue for many tribes.

“Tribal governments will be unable to provide health and education services and will default on loans unless they get federal support to make up for lost casino money”, the National Indian Gaming Association said in a letter to members of the US House of Representatives.

“Providing the means for tribal governments to continue paying all employees’ salaries and benefits will immensely help this country recover,” the letter, addressed to Representatives Deb Haaland and Tom Cole of the House Native American Caucus, said.

There are 460 Native casinos in the US, all of which are in the process of closing as part of efforts to prevent the virus from spreading further.