Indigenous students participating in a hospitality management course.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is collaborating with various tribal colleges to enhance educational pathways in gaming and hospitality for Indigenous students. This initiative, which began with an agreement with The College of the Muscogee Nation, allows students to transfer credits to bachelor’s degree programs focused on tribal gaming and hospitality management. With a significant presence of tribal gaming operations nationwide, the partnership aims to address high unemployment rates in tribal communities and integrate relevant curriculum into UNLV’s offerings.
Las Vegas, NV – The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is actively partnering with several colleges that primarily serve Indigenous students to enhance educational opportunities within the gaming and hospitality industries. These partnerships aim to prepare graduates for careers that are significant to tribal gaming and hospitality sectors across the United States.
UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality has established pathways for students enrolled in tribal colleges to transfer up to two years of college credits or associate degrees to its bachelor’s degree programs. Students can choose to complete their degrees in-person or online, with a focus on tribal gaming and hospitality management.
This initiative began with the signing of a formal agreement in June 2025 with The College of the Muscogee Nation, which is based in Oklahoma. UNLV is in the process of forming similar agreements with additional tribal colleges located in California, Arizona, Montana, and another institution in Oklahoma, expanding educational opportunities for Native American students.
According to statistics presented by UNLV’s program director, tribal gaming generates approximately 45% of all gaming revenues in the United States. This sector is significant because there are over 500 tribally owned and operated casinos across 29 states, with the Muscogee Nation alone operating 10 casinos.
The College of the Muscogee Nation currently offers an associate degree in tribal gaming, and the partnership with UNLV is seen as a potential model for other Indigenous colleges aiming to enhance their educational offerings. This educational collaboration is not just about credentialing students, but also aims to address the high unemployment rates often found in tribal communities through federally regulated tribally operated gaming.
The impact of tribal gaming is facilitated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which governs how the revenues generated from tribal gaming are allocated for the welfare of tribal members and local government services. Through this initiative, UNLV’s hospitality program will integrate pertinent tribal content into its curriculum, with the first developed course focused on an introduction to the tribal gaming industry.
Tribal gaming has evolved significantly from small fundraising bingo events to large-scale integrated resorts, highlighting the growth of this industry. A recent example is the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a California tribe, which acquired the Palms Casino for $650 million and also operates the Yaamava’ Resort and Casino. Additionally, this tribe has gifted $9 million to UNLV for the establishment of tribal gaming and law programs.
The UNLV Tribal Education Initiative is designed to support students from these partnerships by providing resources such as laptops, campus visits, and research opportunities. The intention is to develop tribal casinos into cultural education centers that benefit tribes and their communities as well.
The Palms Casino is recognized for its connection to Indigenous culture, featuring art and culturally significant dining options that reflect the heritage of the tribes. As part of their education, students will accumulate practical experience by working in either tribal or Las Vegas gaming and hospitality environments, gaining around 1,000 hours of experience while pursuing 60 credit hours through UNLV.
With these initiatives in place, the first student set to enroll under the new transfer agreements is expected to begin their studies in Fall 2025, signaling a promising step forward in building career pathways for Indigenous students in the gaming and hospitality sectors.
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