What can US tribes expect from Trump on gambling issues?

“We are at the very beginning of the Trump presidency and look forward to engaging the incoming administration about tribal issues in general,” said tribal Chairman Mark Macarro of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.

During his long business career, Trump has owned casinos in Atlantic City and Indiana, which have since been sold or shuttered after financial difficulties.

In the early 1990s, he worked to protect his Atlantic City properties from competition by Native American tribes that were trying to open or expand their New England-area casinos.

The effort included shock-jock language during a Don Imus interview that called into question the native lineage of some tribal members and hard-hitting political campaigns that equated new gambling houses with drug use and crime and linked the tribes to the mob.

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In the early 2000s, the businessman cast off tribal antagonism to partner with the Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians to rebrand and rehabilitate the Spotlight 29 casino in Coachella as Trump 29

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The deal – which featured annual payments to Trump for his brand, management advice and design work – soured after a few years and the tribe bought him out for $6 million.

That track record makes it difficult for local officials to glean insight into Trump’s future decision-making.

Tribal Chairman Robert Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians said tribes developed a strong and positive relationship with the Obama administration.

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We are hopeful that will continue with the incoming administration as we work to improve education, economic development, infrastructure and job creation opportunities across all of Indian Country, Martinsaid

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The backers of Trump’s campaign and his early Cabinet picks may provide direction for tribes.

The backers group is dominated by fellow casino owners, including deep-pocketed magnate Sheldon Adelson.

The group has worked to protect investments in brick-and-mortar establishments in Las Vegas and other gaming markets by opposing legislation to legalize online gambling.

Trump’s pick for interior secretary is Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., a University of San Diego masters graduate who served as a Navy SEAL.

In a statement, Zinke said he would work to ensure public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come.

“Most important, our sovereign Indian Nations and territories must have the respect and freedom they deserve,” he said in a statement.