The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which operates the Four Winds chain of casinos in Indiana and Michigan, has begun negotiations to introduce Class III games, including sports betting, in its South Bend, Indiana venue.
Sports betting was launched in Indiana on September 1, after Governor Eric Holcomb signed the state’s sports betting bill into law in May.
However, while 13 commercial casinos have received authorization from the Indiana Gaming Commission to go live with sports betting, Four Winds — the state’s only tribal casino — would need to negotiate a new compact with the state in order to do so.
Indiana Gaming Commission executive director Sara Gonso Tate told iGB North America that the Pokagon Band requested to begin Class III negotiations on 13 August. A timeline for the launch of Class III games at the casino is not currently known.
Four Winds Casino South Bend’s current Class II license also does not include table games or slots, although slot-like bingo games are available at the casino. A Class III license would also allow the casino to offer table games and slots.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians also operate three casinos in Michigan, located in New Buffalo, Dowagiac and Hartford. It already offers a free-to-play casino offering, powered by Scientific Games.