Blue Lake Entertainment (BLE) is a development and operations management company primarily focused on Native American gaming. 

BLE is a progressive organization that works to improve the financial stability of Tribes throughout Indian Country.  Tribally-owned, BLE works for multi-Tribal benefit.

The ideal business model for Tribal fiscal stability is obtained through a diversified business portfolio.  While BLE supports the gaming operations of Tribes to provide significant Tribal revenues, many Tribes then diversify these revenues into other ventures, gaming and non-gaming. 

Mission:  To join forces with other Tribes on gaming ventures, so that business expertise is built upon in Indian Country, and more Tribes can realize the maximum economic benefit from the Native Gaming industry.

Areas of Expertise

Controlled management of all aspects of a casino property and best-in-class service are imperative for long term success.

Complete Vendor Management
              
Selecting and managing outside vendors is one of the most challenging aspects of casino development.  Blue Lake Entertainment takes pride in its efficient, effective, and successful deployment of both internal and external resources.  BLE has established relationships with premier service providers in most vendor categories, and successful experience in ensuring outstanding results from outside vendor relationships.

All resources are consistently assessed to complete every project on time and on budget. 

Areas of Vendor Relationship Expertise

• Financing | Investors

• Tribal Sources | Traditional Lending Institutions e.g. Bank of America
• Venture Capital | Bonds | Equity Agreements

• Construction Managers

• The standard business practice is to solicit RFPs from multiple Construction Management (“CM”) companies and narrow to a three-candidate field for final selection through a bid process.  The final choice must have a proven track record in construction management with extensive experience in Tribal projects, both gaming and non-gaming facilities, as well as the integrity, professionalism, and progressiveness Tribal projects require.

• Architects

• The standard business practice is to solicit RFPs from multiple architectural firms and narrow to a three-candidate field for final selection through a bid process.  Architectural and Engineering processes ultimately drive the construction project schedule and budget, and only proven firms should be considered.  Architectural services include scoping, preliminary budgeting, preliminary design, conceptual drawings, land use planning, etc. 

• Engineers

• Generally, it is most effective to secure Civil Engineering services with local area firms, as they are most familiar with regional issues, processes, and contacts.  All other engineering is generally supplied as part of the Architect bid process, as the design and engineering factors are integrated. 
• Electrical engineering and installation is critical in casino construction, and special care should be taken to choose a contractor with specific experience in casino electrical design and implementation.

• Attorneys

• Minimum requirements include Indian Country laws, traditions, and interactions with other governments, federal, state and local gaming-related legal and regulatory structures and procedures.                  

• Economic Consultants

• BLE utilizes firms such as Morgan Stanley, APD, and others as mechanisms to achieve its financial goals, including employee benefits, employee retirement plans, Tribal Member retirement plans, payroll services, corporate investment portfolios, etc.

• Market Assessment Firms

• These firms evaluate project financial viability, establish project scope and budgets, and assess market demographics. Professional market studies are often required by investors.

• Environmental Assessment Firms

• The most critical process in the predevelopment stage is the environmental impact mitigation reports.  All environmental assessment strategies and reports must be performed expeditiously. 

• Accounting Firms

• Must thoroughly perform financial audits, risk assessments, and test internal controls in order to issue a formal opinion of the financial status of the business (at any time).

• Project Managers

• The project manager is the primary contact.  They dedicate their efforts to predevelopment processes, political issues, project financing, project planning and design, overall administration, construction management, gaming development, operations development, and daily project oversight.

• Retail/Hotel/Restaurant Managers

• Should have extensive experience in hotel, F&B and gaming management, general business administration and experience on gaming-related projects. Also  responsible for sales performance in these areas.

• Gaming Management Teams

• Emphasis on slots development, table games development, bingo operations and any other offerings under consideration during any phase of the project scope.

• Public Relations, Media & Political Consultants
• Casino Venue Marketing Consultants (pre- and post-opening)