Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes have long weighed how to diversify their economies, and the pandemic illustrated the risk of failing to do so. “And that begs the question of what we can do to move beyond gaming.” “We were hit pretty hard by the pandemic,” says Ho-Chunk President Marlon WhiteEagle, no relation to the casino official. That’s forcing tribal leaders to confront their economy’s outsized reliance on casinos. But the pain from the temporary shutdown lingers for the tribe, manifested in layoffs and cuts to services.

Two years later, casino officials say revenue is eclipsing pre-pandemic levels. Patrons didn’t complain, but Ho-Chunk Nation officials anxiously watched their economic engine sputter. It was constant running for all of our employees,” White Eagle says. “There were quite a few nights where it was just off-the-wall jackpots. Despite fewer gamblers, visitors made larger bets that triggered big prizes. Verifying each jackpot kept the former slots department supervisor on his toes as his colleagues adapted to pandemic life. That’s what Brent White Eagle recalls of reopening the Ho-Chunk Gaming Casino in Madison after the pandemic forced a closure of more than two months in 2020. Playing blackjack at Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls.

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