The regular representation of Neretin groups is factorial

Abstract

We show that the left regular representation of Neretin groups is factorial, providing the first example of a non-discrete simple group with this property. This is based on a new criterion of factoriality for totally disconnected groups. For groups G satisfying the criterion, we determine the type of the factor L(G) and derive factoriality results for crossed products associated to G-actions on von Neumann algebras.