Idaho's Sho-Pai Tribes Successfully Acquire Property for Planned Casino Venture
The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, long without their own casino, make a welcoming stride toward financial independence with a planned gaming facility in Idaho's Treasure Valley. Securing a sprawling 557-acre site across Ada and Elmore counties, this new endeavor will exclusively utilize 40 acres to foster a casino, envisioning a hub of gaming, dining, entertainment, and leisure.
The remaining land, at the discretion of the tribe, may be dedicated to further developments, like expansion or community projects. As Chairman Brian Mason elaborates, this initiative represents a crucial advancement for the tribe, aiming to tackle persistent issues such as job scarcity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to emergency services.
Collaborating with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to develop and administer this casino, the Sho-Pai take a significant leap forward, with the Coeur d'Alene providing the necessary startup capital and handling operations, once approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Previously, the Sho-Pai engaged in discussions with JTC Gaming LLC, but have now fully committed to the Coeur d'Alene partnership.
Five percent of the casino's net earnings will earmarked for funding local schools, in line with the tribe's mission to foster a holistic, far-reaching community impact. Besides, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's historical success in using gaming revenue to finance higher education and construct state-of-the-art medical facilities serves as a strategy model for the Sho-Pai's endeavors.
This project unfolds against a landscape already bustling with competition. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Eastern Idaho aspire to develop a $300 million resort-style casino nearby. While the Sho-Pai's proposal awaits final approval, hurdles include administrative endorsement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, input from local authorities, and a go-ahead from Governor Brad Little. Approvals could hinge on the exact location of the property relative to county boundaries, as each county entertains its unique review procedures.
Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman, Chief Allan, has expressed ardent support for the Sho-Pai project. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, he recalls numerous tribal members struggling to find employment and living in near poverty. Today, thanks to gaming revenue, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe boasts a thriving medical center, ample tribal employment, and the financial capacity to support every member seeking higher education—a future the Sho-Pai hope to emulate.
The development timeline has not been publicly divulged, with regulatory approval and construction proceeding contingent on National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) greenlighting the Coeur d’Alene's management role. Historical data suggests similar tribal gaming approvals may take months to years, precariously lingering in legal and environmental reviews.
- The planned gaming facility in Idaho's Treasure Valley, led by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, intends to establish a casino-and-gambling hub, incorporating gaming, dining, entertainment, and leisure activities.
- As part of their overall investment strategy, the Sho-Pai will earmark 40 acres of their 557-acre site exclusively for the casino, leaving the remaining land for potential future developments or community projects.
- In partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes aim to tackle persistent issues such as job scarcity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to emergency services through the proceeds from the casino.
- The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's historical success in using gaming revenue to fund higher education and construct state-of-the-art medical facilities will serve as a strategy model for the Sho-Pai's endeavors.
- A nearby competitor, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Eastern Idaho, aspire to develop a $300 million resort-style casino, adding to the existing gambling trends in the region.
- Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman, Chief Allan, expressed his support for the Sho-Pai project, citing improvements in his tribe's medical center, employment opportunities, and support for higher education as inspiration for the Sho-Pai's vision of emulating such a thriving casino-culture.
