Washoe Tribe buys out Wa She Shu Casino operator

The Wa She Shu Casino has been purchased by the Washoe Tribe after being operated by Wind Creek Hospitality since its opening in 2016.

On Friday, the Washoe Development Corp., which is the independent business arm of the Tribe, announced it will take charge of the casino and truck stop on July 1.

Wind Creek, which is the gaming entity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has operated the location south of Gardnerville since it opened.

“Washoe Development Corp., a Section 17 corporation wholly owned by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, is reviewing options with the Washoe Tribal Council, for use of the 15,000-square-feet commercial building,” according to a release. “Located on the same parcel as the Wa She Shu Travel Plaza along Highway 395, a well-trafficked commercial corridor there are significant business opportunities for consideration.”

The purchase deals only with the casino. The Travel Plaza was always under Washoe ownership.

The Washoe Development Corp. was created by the tribe to operate its businesses, which include the Mica Chevron in northern Douglas County.

It is governed by five Washoe Tribal members and is operated under a federal charter issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Washoe Tribe has a Nevada Gaming Compact, which Development Corp. President Wendy Loomis said the tribe intends to keep for potential future use.