Reno Thrives Although Most Bets Are Off

Reno's lost billions to Native American casinos, yet the Nevada town is growing again, even thriving. How did Renoans react when Tribal casinos lured away their business? They put up shop as gambling consultants and sold even more slot machines. Now downtown is growing: Developers are free to build without powerful casinos blocking their path, the Economist reports.

Reno once shrugged off Indian casinos, one owner even asking if they planned to gamble in tents. Then betters stopped coming, and hotels laid off workers and shut down. Now Reno, a railway hub, is attracting retailers who like the state's lack of red tape. And gamblers who who think that Native casinos have "gone cold" on them are driving to Reno to lose money there. (More casino stories.)