Tribes are increasing their presence in commercial gaming, according to speakers at a G2E session in Las Vegas. James Klas said about a dozen US commercial casinos are owned and operated by Native Americans, with 17,000 machines, 1,000 tables and more than 7,000 hotel rooms across them.
Tribal ownership brings additional competitors into commercial casino markets, including Las Vegas.
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Hard Rock Bet said it will fund and sponsor a $5 million slots tournament operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, with a live final scheduled for 12 December 2026 in Hollywood, Florida. The prize pool includes $1 million for the winner; eligible players in Florida, New Jersey, Michigan and Ontario can qualify through 29 November. The company said the event is the largest slots tournament it has held in Florida.
Florida gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds raised $131m with support from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, DraftKings and FanDuel, citing a Tampa Bay Times analysis published on 2 October. The report listed a $5.5m tribal contribution and $500,000 each from DraftKings and FanDuel.
Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor of Florida, has raised $131m in the race, with support from gambling-linked donors including the Seminole Tribe of Florida, DraftKings and FanDuel, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis published on 2 October. The analysis covered fundraising through 18 September.
It was reported that gambling interests contributed at least $12.2m to Florida statewide candidates or committees through July, citing Florida Trend. The Seminole Tribe supplied roughly three-quarters of the total.
Hard Rock Digital launched Hard Rock Bet in Ontario on 22 July, after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approved the brand in May 2026. The platform offers more than 3,000 casino games and a sportsbook covering 20+ sports, marking its first market outside the 10 US states where it operates.
Florida's Gaming Control Commission marked its fourth anniversary in July 2026, reporting nearly 11,000 illegal slot machines seized and more than $23 million in illegal gambling proceeds since its formation. The commission said it closed 184 illegal gambling arcades and made 177 arrests in the past year, while its pari-mutuel division collected more than $3 billion over four years.