High Gas Prices Caused by US-Iran War a Winning Hand for Tribal ‘Gasinos’

Posted on: April 13, 2026, 03:09h. 

Last updated on: April 13, 2026, 03:09h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Native tribes can generally offer cheaper fuel because they’re exempt from state taxes on gas and diesel
  • Fuel prices are about $1 more today than they were a year ago
  • Some tribes are combining fuel and gaming to create gasinos

Casino.org is adding a new word to its lexicon in gasinos, or gas stations that offer slot machines and/or table games, with such properties most typically found on tribal reservations.

tribal casinos gasinos gas prices fuel tax
The Elk Valley Tribal Fuel Mart in Crescent City, CA, shows gas and diesel prices in January 2025. Tribal nations are benefiting from high gas prices, as Native tribes are exempt from paying state gas taxes. (Image: Shutterstock )

The United States and Israel’s war with Iran, causing navigation issues in the critical Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world’s oil trade passes through, has caused a steep hike in gas prices. According to AAA, as of April 13, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $4.12. A year ago, that same gallon went for $3.18.

Because of high state taxes, gas prices are considerably higher along the West Coast, including in Washington ($5.39), Oregon ($4.98), and California ($5.89).

Tribal nations are benefitting, as sovereign nations are exempt from state fuel taxes and therefore can sell gasoline and diesel at considerably cheaper rates. Some Native American communities are using the cheap gas as lures to their tribal resorts, casinos, and gasinos.

Tribal Gas Prices 

As sovereign nations, tribes that sell fuel must pay the US federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon of diesel, the same rate commercial gas and diesel stations pay. They are, however, immune to state taxes on fuel.

California has the highest state gas tax at about 71 cents per gallon. Washington is third at 59 cents, and Oregon is 12th at 40 cents.

Numerous tribes in the three states take advantage of not only their federal Indian gaming rights but also their state tax fuel exemption. The gas stations, commonly called “trading posts,” are often located on sovereign land near their tribal casinos. But some tribes combine fuel and gaming to form gasinos.

California’s Bear River Pump and Play, located near the Bear River Casino Resort in Loleta in remote Humboldt County, has regular today for $5.97 a gallon. That’s about 20 cents cheaper than in town. The Pump and Play offers about three dozen slot machines.

At the Morongo Travel Center in Cabazon, which has about 40 slot machines with jackpots of up to $5,000, a gallon of regular is just $5.10. In nearby Palm Springs, the same gallon is going for $6 or more.  

Because the California gasinos are alcohol-free, players aged 18 and up are allowed. California’s tribal casinos where alcohol is available are generally reserved for 21+.

Gasinos aren’t limited to California. Across the country in Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe operates the Little Trail Casino along Interstate 75, aka Alligator Alley, in the Everglades. The Class II tribal casino features about 150 slot-like electronic bingo machines and a bar.

There are approximately 500 gas stations across the country owned by tribal nations. 

Trump Warning 

President Donald Trump has repeatedly proclaimed that the war with Iran would soon be resolved. But on Sunday, the president conceded that the pain at the pump will likely be felt through the 2026 midterm elections.

“It could be the same or maybe a little bit higher, but it should be around the same,” Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo during an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures.”