Column: American Gaming Association reaches out to tribes

The American Gaming Association is expanding both in membership and influence.

Last week, it announced it added nine members, including Seminole Hard Rock Gaming — the group’s first American Indian-owned casino company — and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Freeman said the addition of the Florida-based Seminole Tribe, which operates seven casinos in the Sunshine State and Hard Rock-branded resorts worldwide, marked the most consequential change in its structure since it was created in 1995.

Since taking over, Freeman said he spoke with the leadership of more than a dozen tribal gaming companies. He expects other tribes with casinos to join the association in coming months. His goal is for it to represent all licensed and legally operating casinos and gaming equipment manufacturers in the United States.